Doors shut on support service for women
The closure of a voluntary support service that worked with women experiencing gender-based violence has been described as “shocking” and “beyond belief”.
The Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse (WSSADA), which had operated since 2000, provided assistance to people experiencing violence and abuse at the hands of an intimate partner or someone known to them.
“There is so much talk about violence against women, and so many women being murdered in Ireland, it’s beyond belief that a support service like this would be closed down,” community activist Fidelma Bennett said of the closure.
It is understood that Cuan, the state agency established in 2024 to combat domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, will no longer fund the service. A suggestion that this was because of “a streamlining of services” has been rejected by Cuan.
It’s anticipated that queries will now be directed to similar service providers in Athlone and Longford.
The Mullingar voluntary organisation was established by a woman who recognised the lack of services for women encountering domestic abuse. The need for the service was identified by the founder while she was working as part of a Community Employment programme in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Centre in Mullingar.
Prior to that, there were no specialised support services dealing exclusively with domestic abuse in the Mullingar and wider Westmeath area.
WSSADA created an effective, innovative approach built on respect for the dignity of women as thinking, capable, resilient human beings.
“It’s quite shocking,” Laura Daly-Devine, the owner of Divine fitness Mullingar, said of the closure. Five months ago Laura ran a charity event where all the proceeds went to the charity.
“I wanted to do an event for a local charity,” Laura said, “ and Ciara O’Hara suggested WSSADA.
“When we spoke to the women involved in the service, they told us the number of calls had doubled in the previous six months, so it’s quite a surprise that it closed.”
Fidelma Bennett, also a Mullingar Labour Party member, said the closure comes at a time when there is a great need for the service.
“I was manager in Teach Fáilte, which provided support for the homeless, so we had connections with WSSADA,” Fidelma told the Westmeath Examiner.
“Domestic violence is rampant throughout our society. Women need to know there are touch points, places where they can go to get support, where there are people who will help them, people who will believe them and talk to them.”
There are six sexual assault treatment units in the country, one of those is in Mullingar. The Mullingar facility is the busiest one outside of Dublin.
Fidelma says the closure represents a blow to Mullingar: “It was a great service. They provided vital counselling and support. They accompanied victims to court, aiding them in a situation that is very scary for a woman. Many of whom have been in a terrifying situation or a vulnerable situation.
“I am sad to hear it closed. They did great work over the years and they were commendable. If the funding has been pulled, it’s an absolute disgrace,” she said.
A statement to the Westmeath Examiner from Cuan said:
"In recent months Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse (WSSADA) has faced a number of challenges affecting its long-term viability as a provider of domestic violence (DV) supports and services in County Westmeath.
"Cuan the DSGBV Agency has been providing significant support to the WSSADA Board of Directors to ensure interim arrangements on service continuity are in place and that the appropriate processes are undertaken.
"With the assistance of Cuan, neighbouring services have been engaged to provide temporary staff support, and to ensure the continuation of essential services to WSSADA’s service users. This includes a secondment to WSSADA to assist with the service’s operations and ensure the continuity of services in the region.
"Preserving continuity of service in the region is a priority for Cuan, and we will continue to actively work with local services and the board of WSSADA to ensure this."
The state agency established to combat domestic violence included a statement from Roger Nicholson, Chair of WSSADA Board:
"In recent months WSSADA has faced capacity issues that have left it unable to deliver an adequate level of service to its service users, and have led the organisation to seek to wind down its operations.
"Through engagement with Cuan, arrangements have been put in place since July 2025 to provide continuity of service through the assistance of neighbouring services. WSSADA are very grateful for the assistance of Cuan and neighbouring services for their support in this respect.
"The WSSADA board is now working with Cuan and neighbouring services to ensure that this continuity of service is sustained, and that a viable long-term approach to service provision for victims of domestic violence can be consolidated in the locality."