Gardaí support Go Purple Campaign

The campaign Gardaí Go Purple for Domestic Violence took place on May 31.

Explaining the background to the campaign, Patricia Whelan, Manager with NTDC Ascend, stated that the event was started a few years ago as a local event in Co Meath by Stacey Looby, a member of An Garda Síochána to consolidate the community partnership between the gardaí and local domestic violence service and to raise funds within the community.

Since then, with the support of Ministers for Justice and the support of Safe Ireland, the campaign is being rolled out across the country.

In the year to date, in excess of 80 court orders, sought by victims of domestic violence have been granted to people living in the Thurles and Tipperary Town District, Tipperary Central.

While it is acknowledged that there is some duplication owing to the nature of these orders, some are interim while others have a longer timeframe and are more serious, they indicate that domestic violence continues to present as a significant issue in the lives of many across County Tipperary.

Gardaí and staff from Ascend attended a coffee morning at Templemore Garda Station to highlight and strengthen the interagency work carried out on behalf of people who come seeking support, a listening ear and protection from those who seek to put them in fear.

Acknowledging the work being carried out, Inspector John Cleary, Tipperary Town Garda Station, spoke of the importance of Go Purple Day to ensure that those who cause harm to others contrary the Domestic Violence Act must be challenged and held to account through the courts and interagency relations allow for continuous development and improvement.

Also on the day, the Ascend staff visited Garda Stations across the north of the county to see how they were promoting the event and raising awareness of supports for Domestic Abuse in North Tipperary.