The legal framework
The Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 created specific offences of carrying out FGM, removing a girl from the State for that purpose, and assisting a girl to carry it out on herself. The Act applies to acts done abroad where the person is an Irish citizen or ordinarily resident here. A dedicated treatment service provides free medical and psychological care.
Ireland legislated in 2012 with a dedicated Act that criminalises the practice and reaches acts committed abroad by residents. Alongside it sits something practical: a specialist clinic offering free treatment, including for women who arrived in Ireland long after the event. Because the affected population is largely made up of recent arrivals, outreach is done through community organisations rather than through general public campaigns.
As a member state of the European Union, the criminalisation of female genital mutilation, including for acts committed abroad, derives here from Directive (EU) 2024/1385.
Key points
| Statute | Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 |
|---|---|
| Maximum sentence | Fourteen years |
| Removal offence | Taking a girl out of the State for FGM is a separate offence |
| Extraterritorial | Applies to citizens and ordinary residents |
| Consent | Not a defence |
| Treatment | A dedicated free clinic provides medical and psychological care |
| Asylum | Risk of FGM is recognised as a ground for protection |
In practice
- Contact the dedicated FGM treatment service: care is free and does not require a GP referral.
- If you fear a girl is at risk, contact Tusla, the child and family agency, or the Gardaí.
- Community organisations provide support in the languages of the communities most affected.
- A medical record made before travel can help protect a child.
Cost and coverage
The specialist treatment service is free of charge.
Where to go
- Dedicated FGM treatment service.
- Tusla, the child and family agency.
- AkiDwA and community organisations.
Worth knowing
Consent is not a defence, and neither is the fact that the procedure was lawful where it took place. Both points are written into the 2012 Act.
Frequently asked questions
Is treatment free in Ireland?
Yes. A specialist clinic provides medical care, counselling and, where appropriate, deinfibulation free of charge, and referral does not depend on your immigration status. You can self-refer or be referred by a GP or a community organisation.
Does the law reach acts carried out abroad?
Yes. The 2012 Act covers acts done outside the State by Irish citizens and by people ordinarily resident here, and it does not require the act to be an offence where it took place. Removing a girl from the State for the purpose is also an offence.
Official sources and links
- Citizens Information — official plain-language guide to rights and entitlements
- Irish Statute Book — legislation as enacted