Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will bring Jennie’s Law to Cabinet this week to begin its passage through the Oireachtas for enactment.
The Domestic Violence (Judgements) Register Bill will result in those convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner being included on a public register.
The register will assist people in a relationship or considering a relationship with a person to ascertain whether they have a history of serious domestic violence convictions
The law has been named in honour of Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021.
He attacked and stabbed her to death at her home Melville Drive in Finglas on 17 April and was sentenced to life in prison the following year.
Gavin Murphy received a mandatory life sentence
Jennifer Poole was not aware Murphy had a history of abusive behaviour and a conviction for assaulting a former partner.
Jennifer’s brother, Jason Poole, has long campaigned for such a register.
The public register will be hosted on the website of the Courts Service, and victims/survivors will be required to provide consent before the convicted person can be named on the register.
Judgments will be published under a specific heading of “Domestic Violence Register Judgments”.
The new legislation inserts a Part 3A into the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and applies to convictions on indictment for serious domestic violence offences.
The trial judge 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.
The information will be presented in a way that is linked insofar as possible with domestic violence services, to ensure that anyone consulting the register will be directed towards appropriate supports, whether for themselves or for another person that they are concerned about.
“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,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“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.”
The register will be implemented in a broader context of preventative and protective measures, including Operation Devise.
Through Operation Devise, An Garda Síochána provides appropriate support to the potentially vulnerable new partner of individuals who have previously been connected with a domestic homicide and/or serious offences related to domestic violence.
Gardaí closely monitor any evidence of further domestic violence offending against them, aiming to mitigate the risks as much as possible.
The minister added that depending on the circumstances of any given domestic abuse case there are also a number of fundamental measures that An Garda Síochána routinely assists with, and implements.
Mr O’Callaghan said these include: “Supporting the victim to obtain a domestic abuse order, providing information in relation to domestic abuse support services, and ensuring a proactive arrest policy where there is clear evidence that an offence such as assault causing harm, or threats to kill, or stalking and harassment has occurred.”