January 13, 2026 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Arrests
Request Number: FOI/16376
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Arrests
Subject: Domestic abuse suicides
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken not to supply the information you have requested and the reasons for this are set out in more detail below. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which we have followed in responding to your request.
Question 1
Could you please confirm how suspects have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following a suicide after domestic abuse over the past five years? (2020 - 2025, inclusive).
Question 2
Could you please confirm the status of these investigations in each case? eg. charged, NFA, RUI and
Could you please break these figures down year by year?
Answer
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
- states that fact,
- specifies the exemption in question and
- states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption/s, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies are listed below:
Section 30(1)(a) - Investigations and proceedings conducted by the public authority – Information held by a public authority is exempt information if it has at any time been held by the authority for the purposes of (a) any investigation which the public authority has a duty to conduct with a view to it been ascertained (i) whether a person should be charges with an offence or (ii) whether a person charged with an offence is guilty of it.
Section 30 is a qualified and class-based exemption which means a Public Interest Test must be conducted. This exemption covers information held at any time for the purposes of an investigation, whether the case is open, ongoing, or closed.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release – Section 30
The release of the requested information can provide transparency and promote public trust in the police service. It would assist in showing that the PSNI are conducting thorough investigations into incidents of this nature. All Police investigations involve the use of public funds and this information could allow the public to make informed decisions about police procedures and the money spent in this business area.
Factors Favouring Retention – Section 30
The information requested is held for the purposes of investigations and therefore if the PSNI were to release the requested information it could compromise and undermine any ongoing investigations, thus hindering the course of justice by prematurely releasing information. Information relating to an investigation will rarely be disclosed under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Any investigations may be prejudiced by premature release of information resulting in loss of evidence or alerting a suspect, therefore there is a strong public interest in protecting the ability of PSNI to carry out investigations without fear of premature disclosure of information.
Decision
The requirement to withhold information relating to any criminal investigation which may affect the outcome of any court proceedings must take precedence. The Police Service is charged with enforcing the law, preventing and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. The PSNI will not divulge information if to do so would adversely affect any ongoing investigations. Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of the law enforcement role of the Police Service and providing assurance that the PSNI is appropriately and effectively dealing with crime, there is a strong public interest in safeguarding the integrity of the police service. In this case, PSNI considers the balance of the public interest favours application of the exemption.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.