Almost 70% of barring orders sought in court last year were refused, according to an exclusive report by the Irish Mirror.

In 2017, there were 2,613 applications for barring orders, which force an allegedly violent person to leave the family home.

But only 822 barring orders were granted by the courts.

In 2016, 50% of applications to the District Court were successful but, last year, the figure dropped to 30%.

Judges can also grant a safety order when a person is living in fear. This prohibits violence or threats but it does not force the subject to leave the family home. Last year, 6,368 applications were made, but just 2,255 were granted.

Courts

The previous year 55% of court bids were successful.

Protection orders more successful

Protection orders had a higher success rate, with 85% granted last year (or 5,006 out of 5,869 applications).

In 2016, 86% of orders were successful. There were 5,365 applications and 4,627 were awarded.

A protection order is a temporary order, put in place until the full hearing for the safety, or barring application takes place.

Interim orders

An interim barring order is similar to a barring order – in practical terms, it means the violent person is excluded from the home. It is enforced until the full hearing for the barring order is brought before the court.

Last year, 76% of applications for interim barring orders were upheld. Of 917 applications, 693 were granted.

In 2016, 77% of applications for interim barring orders were successful.