A Barring Order is a full or long-term order from the court.
It directs the respondent to leave - or stay away from - your home and any dependent children. In some cases, it can direct them to stop using - or threatening to use - violence against you or putting you in fear. It may also direct them to stop following you, or communicating verbally or electronically with you or dependent children.
It can only be issued to current spouses or civil partners, or certain people who have an equal or greater ownership rights in the home than the respondent.
If you need immediate protection, you can apply for either an Interim Barring Order or Protection Order. You can do this while you wait for the court to hear your application for a full Barring Order. Both applications can be made at the same time.
How long does a Barring Order last?
A Barring Order made by the District Court can last for up to 3 years. This time limit also applies to a Barring Order made by the Circuit Court on appeal from the District Court.
An application can be made to renew a barring order on or before the date that it expires.
Who can apply for a Barring Order?
A current spouse or civil partner of the respondent can apply.
The following people may also apply if they have an equal or greater interest in the property than the respondent. This is called "satisfying a property test":
- Former spouse or civil partner.
- A person who lives or lived with the respondent in an intimate relationship. The nature of the relationship will be a matter for the court to decide.
- A parent of a respondent where the respondent is over 18 years of age but is not a dependent of the parent.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, can apply on behalf of any eligible aggrieved person. This means someone who in the opinion of Tusla is vulnerable to, or the victim of, domestic violence This person may be an adult or a dependent person.