Tanaiste thanks community garda for domestic violence awareness

Louise Walsh

The Tanaiste has described domestic violence as an 'epidemic' while thanking a Meath community garda for her work in raising awareness of the abuse through a Go Purple Day.

In thanking Navan-based community garda Stacey Looby, Leo Varadkar said there was an epidemic of domestic violence in Ireland, which had become worse during the pandemic.

Garda Looby was the brainchild behind the first annual event in Meath last year, which has now spread through other garda stations across the country today.

Garda Looby started the event in 2020 to raise awareness of the support groups available to people, after a stark rise in domestic cases were reported nationwide in lockdown.

"The simple idea is to show your support by going purple to create awareness and support Men's Aid Ireland and Safe Ireland as well as Meath Women's Refuge and other similar organisations around Ireland," she said.

"We had such a huge response in Meath last year that I decided to do it again today (Friday) and other garda stations across the country have taken part this year and even lit up their stations in purple.

"There are people wearing purple, baking purple buns and even Tara Court in Navan has decked their estate in purple bunting and tree wraps. It's been incredible."

Even Justice Minister Helen McEntee has worn purple in visiting the and Garda Looby said she was blown away by a video sent to her of the Tanaiste recognising her efforts from outside Government buildings.

In the short video, he says: "I just wanted to do this video to mark Go Purple Day. As you know Go Purple is all about raising awareness of domestic violence which unfortunately there is an epidemic of in this country and it has got worse during this pandemic period.

"I really want to particularly mention community garda Stacey Looby from Co. Meath who got this initiative going and now it's become a nationwide event so thank you for all your work that you do today and everyday and your colleagues as well."

Anyone affected by domestic violence can contact mensaid.ie, safeireland.ie or any garda station