New efforts to tackle domestic abuse

The Minister for Justice has today published the heads of a new bill on the issue.

Frances Fitzgerald's new bill puts forward a wide range of measures aimed at helping victims of domestic violence.

Several of them relate to making the courts process easier for a complainant.

They would have the right to be accompanied to court by family or friend, and give evidence by video link to reduce risk of intimidation.

Their anonymity would also be protected unless they choose to be identified.

The new law would also allow for a domestic violence offender to be barred from communicating electronically with their victim.

Minister Fitzgerald says domestic violence persists as a 'true horror in too many homes in twenty-first century Ireland', with too many incidents still going unreported.

She says the general scheme of the bill has been approved by the government, and she hopes it will give fresh hope to victims of domestic violence, that they're not alone.