Mayo councillors call for domestic violence perpetrators to be thrown out of council homes
A motion from Ballina councillor Marie Therese Duffy calls for a review of tenancy agreements to support victims of domestic violence
A Fine Gael councillor has called for Mayo County Council to change their housing policy so perpetrators of domestic violence must leave the family home instead of the victim.
The monthly meeting of Mayo County Council heard a notice of motion brought by Ballina-based councillor Marie Therese Duffy where she called for the council to review the terms of its tenancy agreements, with specific reference to domestic violence within the anti-social behaviour strategy.
The Fine Gael councillor told the meeting that in the majority of cases the victim of domestic violence has to leave the family home to seek refuge when it should be the perpetrator who has to leave.
“I'm calling on Mayo County Council to now engage with the Gardaí, domestic violence support groups, the Department of Housing and legal experts, to review tenancy agreements, making specific reference to domestic violence and other anti-social behaviour issues.
“In terms of domestic violence cases, I'm calling for future tenancy agreements to include a policy whereby perpetrators of domestic violence are removed from the property, rather than in most cases where victims and children are having to flee. This would also result in one person having to find a home, rather than in most cases whereby a victim and number of children may be forced to flee.
“I acknowledge that policing and enforcing this is outside of the remit of our local authority, but I ask that it is made reference to in upcoming reviews through a no tolerance policy. I'm aware that this is complex and involves multiple statutory bodies, but we in Mayo have the opportunity to take a stand with those affected by this domestic violence,” she said.
Cllr Duffy also cited figures from the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Garda District which received 2,607 call outs for domestic violence in 2025 which was a rise of 22 percent in reported calls.
“More people are coming forward and speaking out. We need to ensure that domestic violence victims are supported through council policy. No one should have to choose between a homelessness and staying in an abusive home. No child should grow up witnessing violence and fear behind closed doors. No victim should feel isolated, whether they live in a rural part of mayo or in a town,” she added.
In response to her motion, Director of Services Catherine McConnell stated that it is the 'intention of the Housing Unit to review future Tenancy Agreements across a number of issues' and this matter will be 'given serious consideration at that time, subject to legal advice and any relevant guidance from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage'.
The motion received widespread support from her council colleagues with party colleague, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly calling it a ground breaking and innovative proposal which he was happy to second.
“I think from a policy perspective, it would be a huge thing to say. It would be a huge statement of intent, where we as a local authority and where we as a society, stand on this. I absolutely understand the complexities involved, but I do think that the review of the tenancy agreements could tease through all of this,” he said.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray said that while he supports the motion he found that in many cases the perpetrators of domestic violence don't follow court orders and believes that the local authority should have emergency accommodation in place for the victims.
“I have women who have come to me and who basically have to wait in a house while due process is taking place, and are extremely fearful. It's not confined to our own housing stock. I've had people coming to me who are extremely fearful, who are professional and in very well paid jobs, and they have no plan B.
“So I think as a local authority, we need to be, in my view buying the houses, and having them there for these women who need three or four months of a refuge for due process to take place because a lot of the subsequent violence that happens happens in that space of due process,” he commented.