What is a Safety Order?
A Safety Order is an order of the court which prohibits the violent person from further violence or threats of violence towards you or any dependants e.g. your children. It does not oblige the person to leave the family home. If the person is not living with you it prohibits them from watching or being near your home. A Safety Order can last up to 5 years.
Who can apply for a Safety Order?
- People who are married to each other and civil partners
- Couples who are living with each other
- Any person who has had a child with someone, regardless of having lived together
- Parents against their own child if he/she is over 18 years of age
- Others living together on a non-contractual basis, e.g. brothers and/ or sisters, step-relatives
It is best to apply as soon as possible after an abusive incident.
How do you apply for a Safety Order?
You must go to your local District Court Office to make this application.
When in the District Court you can ask a staff member where to go to make a Domestic Violence Order Application.
What do I need to bring?
- Proof of identity i.e. passport, driver’s licence
- The violent person’s address if they are not currently living with you
- If it is not your first application against this person, any reference numbers from previous cases
Possible Outcomes
If the application is accepted, you will be given a date for a court hearing. A temporary order may be
put in place to protect you (see Protection Order and Interim Barring Order factsheet)You will be given your summons for the court hearing. A summons will be sent to the abusive person
by postIf the order is granted it can last up to 5 years
Safety Order takes effect from when abusive person is notified of it by the court or Gardaí
You do not need legal representation for an initial application, however, it is recommended that you have legal representation for the full court hearing.