Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
A Bill which will allow people to find out if a partner has previous convictions for serious domestic violence offences has passed the final stages at Leinster House.
‘Jennie’s law’ is named after the late Jennifer Poole, a 24-year-old healthcare worker and young mother who was murdered by her former partner in April 2021.
Her tragic death sparked a campaign for stronger domestic violence protections, led by her family, in particular her brother Jason, who spoke to Gript about the campaign last summer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlX4gJHPOdY
His campaign has centred on his belief that a domestic violence register could have saved his sister, who was not aware that her partner had a history of violence. Jennifer’s partner, Gavin Murphy, of Ballymun in Dublin, admitted to attacking and stabbing the Dublin mother to death. He is currently serving a life sentence for her murder.
Jason, along with other members of Jennifer’s family and her friends were in the public gallery of the Dáil chamber on Wednesday afternoon when Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan announced the enactment of the new law – with TDs giving Jason and the Poole family a standing ovation after the legislation was passed.
The legislation will amend the Domestic Violence Act 2018 by creating a Domestic Violence (Judgements) Register Bill 2026, to be maintained by the Courts Service. The law, named in memory of Jennifer, will ensure that relevant convictions for serious domestic violence offences will be made public as part of the conviction process.
The aim of the register is to allow people in relationships or considering a relationship with someone to ascertain whether they have a history of serious domestic violence convictions – inserting a Part 3A into the Domestic Violence Act 2018. It applies to convictions on indictment for serious domestic offences.
Under the legislation, victims will be required to provide consent before the convicted person can be named on the register.
Speaking last month, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that if a person is convicted of a serious criminal offence before the courts, “this is a public conviction and the public are entitled to know about that conviction.”
Offenders can apply no earlier than three years after conviction for removal from the register, with any removal at the discretion of the court.
Amid debate over the legislation, some have argued that a public register would make rehabilitation of a past offender difficult, whilst some lawyers have questioned what its impact will be on the right to privacy. However, the Government has insisted that the law will comply with the protection of constitutional privacy rights, guaranteed under the ECHR.
Jason Poole said that the passing of the law was emotional, as he joined with parents, Jackie and Joe, Jennifer’s other siblings, David and Clare, and Jennifer’s two children.
Mr O’Callaghan commented on Tuesday: “I specifically highlight Jason Poole, who has been steadfast in his support for this legislation. That has been hugely important to me in trying to advance this legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
“We are all aware of the background to Jennie’s law and its origins in the brutal and senseless murder of a young woman […] I really welcome the fact that Deputies from across the political spectrum support and have welcomed this legislation.”
This will close in 10 seconds