Family law
How do we handle domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a crime. This includes physical harm, mental cruelty and sexual abuse. Members of the Gardaí can give you advice about getting a protection or ‘barring order’ (when someone is ordered to keep away from you and your home) from the district court to prevent further abuse. Information about your local district court is available at:
While you are waiting for the court to hear your application, the court can give you immediate protection called a ‘protection order’. In extreme cases the court can grant an interim (temporary) barring order, ordering the violent person to leave the home. If you get a barring order or ‘safety order’ from the court, bring a copy of it to your local Garda Station. In other cases the judge may order the Garda ‘to serve’ the order on the respondent (physically hand the order to the person who must obey it). A safety order can last up to three years and a barring order up to five years. If you are worried about violence in your home, contact your local Garda Station.
They are trained to deal with these situations and can offer advice. You can also contact Adapt House. ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services is a voluntary organisation which was set up in 1974 to provide a wide range of supports to women survivors of domestic abuse and their children across Limerick City and County. ADAPT runs the largest refuge in the country providing emergency accommodation for women and children who have to leave their homes because of domestic abuse.
You can also get help from your local Citizens Information Centre (Limerick CIC 54 Catherine Street, Limerick Phone: 0761 07 5780); or one of the Rape Crisis Centres: Rape Crisis Mid West, phone: 1800 311511, website: www.rapecrisis.ie.
The National Rape Crisis Line operates 24 hours a day: 1800 77 8888.
At what age can I marry?
You must be at least 16 years old to get married in Ireland. You must give notice that you intend to marry to the local clergy or Registry Office. If you are over 18 years old, you must give three months’ notice before the date you plan to marry. If you are aged 16-18
years old, you must give six months’ notice before the date you plan to marry. In Ireland, it is illegal to be married to two people. This crime is called bigamy.
Sexual crime
Generally, the age at which someone is regarded as being legally competent to consent to a sexual act is 17 years of age. Anyone who engages or attempts to engage in a sexual act with another person who is not 17 years old yet is guilty of an offence, unless they are married to each other. In Ireland, rape within marriage is a crime and will be punished.
Contact Adapt House on their Helpline on 1800 200 504 or in case of anemergency phone your local Garda station or 999.
How do we handle domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a crime. This includes physical harm, mental cruelty and sexual abuse. Members of the Gardaí can give you advice about getting a protection or ‘barring order’ (when someone is ordered to keep away from you and your home) from the district court to prevent further abuse. Information about your local district court is available at:
- www.courts.ie or phone (01) 888 6000.
While you are waiting for the court to hear your application, the court can give you immediate protection called a ‘protection order’. In extreme cases the court can grant an interim (temporary) barring order, ordering the violent person to leave the home. If you get a barring order or ‘safety order’ from the court, bring a copy of it to your local Garda Station. In other cases the judge may order the Garda ‘to serve’ the order on the respondent (physically hand the order to the person who must obey it). A safety order can last up to three years and a barring order up to five years. If you are worried about violence in your home, contact your local Garda Station.
They are trained to deal with these situations and can offer advice. You can also contact Adapt House. ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services is a voluntary organisation which was set up in 1974 to provide a wide range of supports to women survivors of domestic abuse and their children across Limerick City and County. ADAPT runs the largest refuge in the country providing emergency accommodation for women and children who have to leave their homes because of domestic abuse.
You can also get help from your local Citizens Information Centre (Limerick CIC 54 Catherine Street, Limerick Phone: 0761 07 5780); or one of the Rape Crisis Centres: Rape Crisis Mid West, phone: 1800 311511, website: www.rapecrisis.ie.
The National Rape Crisis Line operates 24 hours a day: 1800 77 8888.
At what age can I marry?
You must be at least 16 years old to get married in Ireland. You must give notice that you intend to marry to the local clergy or Registry Office. If you are over 18 years old, you must give three months’ notice before the date you plan to marry. If you are aged 16-18
years old, you must give six months’ notice before the date you plan to marry. In Ireland, it is illegal to be married to two people. This crime is called bigamy.
Sexual crime
Generally, the age at which someone is regarded as being legally competent to consent to a sexual act is 17 years of age. Anyone who engages or attempts to engage in a sexual act with another person who is not 17 years old yet is guilty of an offence, unless they are married to each other. In Ireland, rape within marriage is a crime and will be punished.
Contact Adapt House on their Helpline on 1800 200 504 or in case of anemergency phone your local Garda station or 999.