Backing for publication of Jennie’s Law
The Government has approved the publication of legislation that would allow those convicted of domestic violence to be named on a public register.
The Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, known as Jennie’s Law, will set up the register, which will be hosted on the website of the Courts Service.
Victims will have to give their consent before the convicted person can be named on the public register.
The law has been named in honour of Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021.
History
“If a person is convicted of a serious criminal offence before the courts, that is a public conviction and the public are entitled to know about that conviction,” said Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.
“This register will assist people who are in a relationship or considering a relationship with a person to ascertain whether they have a history of serious domestic-violence convictions,” he added.
The new legislation inserts a Part 3A into the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and applies to convictions on indictment for serious domestic-violence offences.
Trial judge’s discretion
The trial judge in each case will have discretion to publish a judgment in an appropriate case, which will contain details of conviction and sentence, as well as any other information relevant to the offence that the judge deems appropriate.
Offenders can apply no earlier than three years after conviction for removal from the register. Any removal will be at the discretion of a court.
The Department of Justice says that the bill is expected to be published “in the coming days”, and to be initiated in the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly afterwards.