Galway Bay fm newsroom - The conversion of the old Magdalene Laundry at Forster Street in the city has been delayed until the outcome of the future of an investigation into mother and baby homes is determined.
Domestic Violence Outreach Worker with COPE Galway Waterside House, Jackie Carroll has given a presentation on the service to members of the City Joint Policing Committee.
It was revealed at the JPC meeting that breaches of barring, safety and protection orders have almost doubled in the Galway city garda district.
According to garda figures, rapes in the city last year increased by 38 per cent compared to the previous year, while sexual assaults were up by almost 30 per cent.
Jackie Carroll from COPE Waterside House told the meeting that there is no legal definition of domestic violence in Ireland.
Last year Waterside House worked with 314 women and 158 children.
They provided 161 accompaniments to court but were unable to accommodate 204 women and 246 children.
In response to a question by committee member, Joe Loughnane, Ms. Carroll said it's an extremely distressing situation for women in direct provision.
Planning permission was granted last year for a new refuge for women experiencing domestic violence at the site of the old Magadelene laundry at Forster Street.
The Sisters of Mercy donated the site to the refuge service last year.
The current facility at Waterside House has reached capacity and can't accommodate the number presenting to the service.
At this week's JPC meeting, Jackie Carroll said that COPE is waiting to see what the Terms of Reference for an inquiry into mother and baby homes might be.
However, she tried to allay the concerns of members who fear this could lead to a significant delay and said it's not going to be delayed much but that they're waiting to see if an inquiry could include all buildings associated with unmarried mothers, such as the former laundry at Forster Street.
