ADAPT Kerry Women’s Refuge and Support Service had to turn women or families away last year on 158 occasions.
That according to the general manager of ADAPT, Catherine Casey, who attended the launch of a report by Safe Ireland today, outlining the finding of its one day census.
The charity surveyed 38 domestic violence refuges nationwide on 28 January (2026).
Almost 1,900 (1,872) women were turned away from domestic violence services nationally, in the last six months of last year.
Catherine Casey says upgrades planned for Adapt Women's Refuge will make a difference, but an increase in need for its supports and a lack of housing will still put women and families in danger:
Safe Ireland is warning that the housing crisis is now the single greatest barrier preventing women and children escaping domestic violence safely.
Interim CEO of Safe Ireland, Christine Lodge states that the shortage in social housing, emergency accommodation, and affordable private rentals is leaving many survivors unable to leave abusive relationships or move on from refuge accommodation.
