Jennie’s Law is being brought forward to Cabinet tomorrow

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is bringing Jennie’s Law forward for approval from Cabinet tomorrow (October 21).

Jennie’s Law is named after Jennifer Poole, who tragically died after her ex-partner Gavin Murphy attacked her in April 2021.

Murphy had been previously convicted of assaulting a former partner, and had a history of domestic violence. Jennifer did not know about this.

She was rushed to Connolly Hospital but died a short time later. Her cause of death was haemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds.

Gavin Murphy pleaded guilty to her murder and is now serving a life sentence in prison.

Her family has been calling on the government to introduce a similar law to the UK’s Clare’s Law.

Clare’s Law was introduced to reduce intimate partner violence. It was named after the late Clare Wood following her murder in 2009.

The police in England knew her partner was dangerous and had a history of violence.

Jennie’s law will allow those convicted of domestic violence to be named on a register that is accessible to the public.

The Domestic Violence Register will be run by the Courts Service, and victims will have to consent before their convicted abuser is named on the register.

“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,” O’Callaghan said.

“In Ireland justice is required to be administered in public.”

O’Callaghan praised Jennifer’s brother Jason Poole and the family for their campaign to introduce the legislation.