Sinn Féin TD for Tipperary, Martin Browne, has slammed the waiting times at district and circuit court levels being faced by victims of crime in parts of Co Tipperary, particularly for those experiencing domestic and gender-based violence, and those with cases before the family courts.
The figures, released by the Courts Service, show that the current waiting time for hearings in Family Court can stand anywhere between 3 to 24 months, depending on the area.
The Cashel based TD says as people are encouraged to take action against their abuser the courts need to be fit for purpose. The TD cited the case of Barring Orders where Interim Barring Orders only offer protection for a maximum time of 8 days – due to a shortage of Judge’s survivors potentially have to reapply for interim orders until their full hearing is
scheduled – which could be up to four weeks in Thurles, eight weeks in Clonmel, and 12 weeks in Nenagh. Women’s Aid have also criticised the operation of the Family courts. Deputy Browne says without sufficient Judges there is no possibility of delivery on the Zero Tolerance Strategy for domestic abuse and violence.
