Ministers back publication of Valerie’s Law
The Government has approved the publication of a bill that would remove guardianship rights, in some situations, from individuals convicted of killing their partner or the other parent of their child.
The Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2026 is to be known as Valerie’s Law, in memory of Valerie French, who was murdered by her husband, James Kilroy, seven years ago.
Her brother David has been campaigning for the legislation.
‘Child-protection issue’
“Guardianship when one guardian kills another, should not be regarded as a matter of private law to be determined between the families concerned, but must be regarded as a child protection and welfare issue,” said Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.
The general scheme of the bill was referred last year to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, which published its report in September.
The Department of Justice says that the most important provision of the Bill requires Tusla to apply to the court within six months of the conviction of a guardian for the murder or manslaughter of another guardian of the child.
On this application, the court may either restrict the powers and duties of the convicted guardian or remove the convicted guardian from office.
Retrospective application
The law will apply to married and unmarried parents, to convictions for murder and manslaughter, and in cases of very serious offences where one guardian causes harm to another.
It may also be applied retrospectively in the cases of murder and manslaughter.
“Revocation of guardianship is not automatic, and the court will have discretion to take all matters into account,” the minister stated.
The bill is to be published in the coming days.