A Safety Order is a full or long-term order. It directs the respondent to stop committing further violence or threats of violence. If the respondent is living with you, it does not order them to leave the home.
If the person is not living with you, it directs them to stay away from, being near or watching your home. A Safety Order might also direct them to stop following you or communicating verbally and electronically with you or dependent children.
A judge will decide on these issues on a case-by-case basis.
How long does a Safety Order last?
A Safety Order made by the District Court can last up to 5 years. This time limit also applies to a Safety Order made by the Circuit Court on appeal from the District Court.
An application can be made to renew a Safety Order on or before the date that it expires.
Who can apply for a Safety Order?
The following people and organisations can apply:
- Current spouse or civil partner.
- Former spouse or civil partner.
- A person who was in an intimate relationship with the respondent before applying for a safety order. The nature of the relationship will be a matter for the court to decide.
- A parent of the respondent where the respondent is over 18 years of age and is not a dependent of the parent.
- A parent of a child whose other parent is the respondent.
- An adult who lives with the respondent in a non-contractual relationship, such as two relatives living together.
- Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on behalf of an aggrieved person. This means someone who in the eyes of Tusla is vulnerable to, or the victim of, domestic violence. This person may be an adult or a dependent person.