Adams hopes domestic abuse unit will be operational soon
Louth Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams says that An Garda Síochána’s new Protective Services Unit in Louth must be adequately resourced to provide the necessary level of service to victims of domestic abuse.
The National Protective Services Bureau was established by An Garda Síochána in March 2015, and its remit is to investigate serious crimes against the person including sexual offences in support of the COSC Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2016-2021.
The Louth TD says domestic abuse is highly prevalent, with one in three women suffering at some time in their lives, and its effects are wide reaching impacting terribly on victims and affecting wider society.
‘In addition to this unit operating across the state, the Minister for Justice has confirmed to me, in response to a recent parliamentary question, that the Garda Commissioner intends to establish Protective Services Units (PSUs), with specially trained staff, in every Garda division, on a phased basis,’ he told The Argus.
‘ The new Louth Protective Services Unit will mirror the responsibilities of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and will ensure a consistent approach to domestic abuse and sexual crime.
‘It will be based in Castlebellingham Garda Station and in addition to the one sergeant and five gardaí working within the unit, additional resources will be allocated shortly.’ In welcoming the establishment of the unit, he says he hopes it becomes operational very soon.