Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Maurice Quinlivan (SF), Limerick City

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He knows the situation in UHL well. Those who arrive for the forensic medical examination that he mentioned are accompanied by a member of An Garda Síochána. Before they are even treated, people will know they are with the gardaí in the hospital. There is no privacy whatsoever and that has to change. The stark reality is that the service people in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary receive is less than that available to people living near other large cities.
We need to ensure that all those who perpetrate such disgusting, violent and debased crimes face the full force of the law. Giving people the option to make a report at a later date can be a crucial part of this objective. A new €16 million surgical hub is being developed at the former Scoil Carmel site on O'Connell Avenue in Limerick. A sexual assault trauma unit could and should be established there. It would offer more privacy and, as the Minister of State knows, is literally around the corner from Rape Crisis Ireland's mid-west premises.
After such trauma, people are not always yet ready to engage with the criminal justice system. Having access to a sexual assault trauma unit may allow more survivors to take the brave step of reporting their attacker to the Garda and allow those survivors the space to prepare for the often-arduous criminal justice journey. We need to support those navigating the criminal justice system after having been sexually assaulted. Forcing somebody who has survived a sexual assault to wait for an available room after the assault is no way that a survivor of domestic violence or any other sexual assault should be treated. It is time to put this right.
Before we conclude, I want to note two things. If anyone watching tonight has been a victim of sexual violence, I urge them to speak to somebody about their experience. Organisations such as Rape Crisis Ireland have your best interests at heart. When they are ready to report the crime, they should think of An Garda Síochána or other authorities. When I spoke to survivors, I heard about the incredible support and compassion that was shown to them by trained members of An Garda Síochána. They are professionals, often in the divisional protective service unit, and will work closely to support victims. I commend those gardaí for their work. It must be emotionally challenging for them, and I hope they receive all of the necessary supports as they deal with difficult and horrible situations.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17