Convicted Domestic Abusers To Be Named In A Public Register
Convicted Domestic Abusers To Be Named In A Public Register
The Government aims to have the landmark legislation enacted before the Dáil summer recess.
For the first time ever in Ireland, abusers convicted of serious domestic violence will have their names listed in a publicly available register. This new law is designed to help people with concerns to check if their new partner has a violent past.
The bill is called The Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, but is known as Jennie’s Law, in honor of Jennifer Poole, the 24-year-old mother of two who was murdered by her former partner Gavin Murphy in 2021. Poole was unaware that Murphy had a violent past and had been convicted of assaulting a former partner.
Legislation establishing a new domestic violence register will go before Cabinet this week, with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan seeking approval for the measure. The Government aims to have the landmark legislation enacted before the Dáil summer recess.
Abusers convicted of a range of serious offences including murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation, harassment, coercive control and non-consensual sharing of intimate images will be named on the list. The names of the perpetrators will only be included with the consent of the victim.
“This public register will help those who are in a relationship or considering a relationship with a person to ascertain whether they have a history of serious domestic violence convictions,” – Jim O’Callaghan.
The register will also include information on domestic violence support services, offering a point of contact for anyone concerned about their own relationship or that of a loved one.
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