Violence in relationships is becoming too normalised JE WI

Criminologist urges change in society and sentencing

- LARISSA NOLAN

A LEADING criminologist says a "normalisation" of woman-bashing is driving the sharp rise in female killings.

John Deane-O'Keeffe says there is disturbing acceptance of physically violent relationships, which should never be the case.

The forensic criminologist and criminal law lecturer spoke in light of a special investigation by the Irish Mirror, which found the number of women killed here almost doubled in one year.

Our analysis found there were 13 victims in 2022, compared to seven in 2021, a hike of 85%. We found 90% of female victims knew their killer. There have been six such violent deaths in Ireland already, just six months into 2023.