A former District Court judge in the Shannonside region has admitted that dealing with domestic violence cases was one of the most difficult aspects of his role.
Leitrim native Kevin Kilraine stepped down as a District Court judge earlier this month having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The former solicitor believes the Covid pandemic resulted in an 'explosion' of domestic violence incidents in the last two years - fuelled by alcohol and people living in close proximity to each other for hours on end.
He is hopeful the easing of restrictions should see an improvement in the situation :