A documentary aired in the UK last night concerning the issue of domestic violence and women. Entitled Love You To Death, it went behind some of the figures around women who have died in the UK at the hands of a partner, ex-partner or husband.
The film featured a roll call of all the women killed by their male partner or ex-partner in the course of one calendar year.
Of the 164 women murdered in Britain in 2013, 86 were killed by their male partner or ex-partner. The film named all 86 women and, through interviews with families, friends and neighbours, tells the stories of seven of them in detail.
With this in mind, Newstalk obtained some of the figures concerning domestic violence in Ireland from Women's Aid who tweeted the names of women who have died by the hands of their partners.
RIP Olivia Dunlea O’Brien, age 36, February 2013, murdered by her boyfriend. #Loveyoutodeath #Stolenlives #Ireland
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
RIP Deirdre Keenan, age 51, murdered by her boyfriend, February 2013 who then took his own life. #Loveyoutodeath #Stolenlives #Ireland
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
RIP Jolanta Lubiene age 27 murdered June 2013 by an intimate partner & her daughter Enrika (8). #Loveyoutodeath #Stolenlives #Ireland
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
RIP Patricia Kierans aged 54 killed by her husband September 2013 #Loveyoutodeath #Stolenlives #Ireland
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
RIP Elaine O’Hara age 36. Remains found Sept 2013, reported missing Aug 2012 murdered by ex partner #Loveyoutodeath #Stolenlives #Ireland
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
RIP Sara Staunton age 28 murdered December 2013 by her boyfriend. #Loveyoutodeath #Ireland #StolenLives
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) December 16, 2015
Since 1996, there have been 209 women murdered in the Republic of Ireland. 131 women (62%) were killed in their own homes.
In the resolved cases, 86 women (55%) were murdered by a partner or ex-partner.
A further 53 (34 %) were killed by someone they knew (e.g. brother, son, neighbour, acquaintance). Thus, a total of 139 women
(89%) were killed by someone known to them.
In all of the resolved cases, 99% of perpetrators were male and 1% was female.
In 2013 in particular, the year the Love You To Death documentary concerned, there were nine women noted as being victim to homicide.
Where there has been a trial, six women were murdered by men with whom they were or had been in an intimate relationship. In one case the victim’s husband has been charged and awaits trial for murder.
If you've been affected, please call the Women's Aid Helpline on 1800 341 900.
