Can I get a barring or safety order in Ireland?
Yes — you can apply free of charge, without a solicitor, in the District Court. Under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, a Safety Order stops the respondent from violence, threats or harassment but lets them stay in the home, and can last up to 5 years. A Barring Order requires them to leave the home and stay away, lasting up to 3 years. A Protection Order is an interim safety order granted immediately, lasting until the full hearing. In an emergency, an Interim Barring Order can be granted without the respondent present where there's an immediate risk of significant harm. Eligibility depends on the relationship — spouses, civil partners, parents, and (since the 2018 Act) people in an intimate or dating relationship can apply even if they never lived together. In short: yes — a range of orders, with emergency protection available.
📋 The rules
- Apply free, no solicitor needed, in the District Court
- Safety Order: stops violence/threats, up to 5 years
- Barring Order: makes them leave the home, up to 3 years
- Protection Order: immediate interim cover
- Available to those in an intimate relationship, even if never living together
🔓 Exceptions
- A barring order usually needs equal/greater interest in the home, or cohabiting
- Interim Barring Orders can be granted in an emergency without the respondent
- Emergency orders are available outside court hours
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaching a domestic violence order is a criminal offence — on summary conviction it can carry a fine of up to €4,000 and/or up to 12 months' imprisonment, and the Gardaí can arrest without warrant where a breach is suspected. A Safety Order can last up to 5 years (renewable), a Barring Order up to 3 years, and an Interim Barring Order lasts until the full hearing (the respondent must be heard within 8 working days). Applications are free and don't need a solicitor. Beware a myth: "you have to be married or living together to get protection" is false — under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, a person in an intimate relationship (including dating) can apply for a Safety Order even if they've never cohabited. To apply: go to your local District Court office, and contact the Gardaí immediately if you're in danger.
📎 Official sources
- Citizens Information — barring, safety and protection orders →
- Courts Service — understanding court orders and eligibility →
- Courts Service — domestic abuse →
❓ Frequently asked
What's the difference between a safety order and a barring order?
A safety order stops the respondent from using or threatening violence, or harassing you, but allows them to remain living in the home. It can last up to five years. A barring order goes further, requiring the respondent to leave the home and stay away, and can last up to three years. Both are made by the District Court.
How do I apply for a domestic violence order?
You apply at your local District Court office. The application is free of charge and you don't need a solicitor, though you can have one. Court staff can explain the process. In an emergency, you can seek an immediate protection order or interim barring order, and you should contact the Gardaí if you're in immediate danger.
Can I get an order if we're not married?
Yes. Under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, eligibility extends well beyond married couples. Spouses, civil partners, parents, people who live together, and those in an intimate relationship — including a dating relationship — can apply. You can apply for a safety order against an intimate partner even if you have never lived together.
What happens in an emergency?
If there's an immediate risk of significant harm, the court can grant an interim barring order without the respondent present, requiring them to leave straight away. A protection order can also be granted immediately as interim cover until the full hearing. Emergency orders are available outside normal court hours, and the Gardaí can enforce them.
What's the penalty for breaching an order?
Breaching a safety, barring, protection or interim order is a criminal offence. On summary conviction, it can carry a fine of up to €4,000 and/or up to 12 months in prison. The Gardaí can arrest the person without a warrant where they suspect a breach, so the orders carry real enforcement behind them.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “barring order ireland”
- “safety order ireland district court”
- “protection order domestic violence ireland”
- “how to get a barring order ireland”
- “domestic violence act 2018 orders”
- “breach barring order penalty ireland”