A number of agencies and authorities including the PSNI have responded to a Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Motion (see panel) calling for an independent review into all deaths in which domestic violence may have been a factor, particularly those deemed suicide or accidental.

It also emerged the PSNI introduced Domestic Homicide Reviews in December, 2020, as a result of specific concerns, with seven instigated, to date. However, the outcome of these was not disclosed.

Proposed and seconded by Independent members, Councillors Emmet McAleer and Josephine Deehan respectively, the Motion also sought the establishment of a mechanism for police officers to raise concerns around such deaths, including if they are being overruled or ordered not to investigate, alongside an expansion of Whistleblower policies within Health Trusts to support staff alerting police to concerns.

The motion passed unanimously, and BBC Local Democracy contacted a number of authorities with whom it is to be shared.

While those who responded were positive on procedures in place, they stopped short of actually supporting the call for an independent retrospective review.

The PSNI notably avoided addressing the issue of officers raising concerns around investigations into such deaths.

In a nonetheless comprehensive response, Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher from the PSNI Public Protection Branch said: “Domestic abuse remains a strategic priority, as it makes up almost 20 per cent of overall crime demand. Officers attend a domestic abuse call on average, every 17 minutes.

“Domestic Homicide Reviews were introduced in December, 2020, and are a step forward in learning valuable lessons and highlighting best practice to improve responses to victims and families.

"Reviews can be commissioned where a death has or appears to have resulted from violence, abuse or neglect.

"A decision to undertake a review is considered by organisations including the PSNI, the Probation Board, Health Trusts and the Department of Justice.

"It is important to highlight reviews are not simply about individual organisational conduct, but to highlight practices to make the future safer.

“Whilst our fundamental ethos is to stop domestic abuse, tragically, we know lives are lost to this horrendous crime every year and the circumstances surrounding these deaths can be complex.

"We continue to work closely and collaboratively with our colleagues on the development of the Domestic Homicide Review framework.

“PSNI officers and staff have and will continue to undergo training in all forms of domestic abuse and the incoming stalking legislation, which we know will impact on responses to victims.

"We have also introduced a new Public Protection Notice in November, 2020, which enhances information obtained and recorded from victims, while encouraging officer and supervisor observations and scrutiny, based on risk assessments.

"We will continually learn and do all we can to support those who suffer, and reduce the harm presented in the future.”

Meanwhile, a Department of Justice spokesperson said: “Tackling domestic abuse is a key priority. The new domestic abuse offence introduced in February offers greater protections to victims and survivors.

"A Domestic Homicide Review model, which is not retrospective, has the overarching purpose of helping prevent future domestic homicides by learning and sharing good practice.”

As the motion is being shared with all Health and Social Care Trusts to ensure staff are supported in flagging concerns, each was contacted for comment.

The Belfast Trust stood out, advising while it has a whistleblowing policy: “If staff have suspicions or concerns that a service user may be experiencing domestic abuse, this policy would not be used.

"Instead, staff report concerns through internal safeguarding mechanisms and to safeguarding teams for further advice and onward referral to the appropriate agencies such as the PSNI.

"The Trust also has a well-defined workplace support policy and service for staff who experience domestic and/or sexual abuse.”

A spokesperson for the Southern Trust said it has “safeguarding policies in place for staff to report concerns to the PSNI via the Gateway Teams in both children and adult services”.

Similarly, the Northern Trust has safeguarding policies in place for staff to report concerns to the PSNI via Gateway Teams in both children and adult services.

However, the Western Trust – which serves the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area – was singularly not forthcoming, initially deeming the matter a “regional issue”.

When reminded all Health Trusts are required to have its own policy, a spokesperson then replied: “We will respond directly to the Council on the issues raised if they write to us.

"The Western Trust has safeguarding policies [on] domestic violence and whistleblowing policies in place for staff to report concerns.”

The South Eastern Trust had not responded by the time of publishing.