Jennie’s Law is set to be introduced after Cabinet approved Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s memorandum on Oct. 21.
Jennie’s Law has been named in honour of domestic abuse victim, Jennifer Poole, who was tragically murdered by her ex-partner, Gavin Murphy, in April 2021.
Jennifer was just 24 years old when she was stabbed to death by Murphy at her home in Finglas, Co. Dublin.
Murphy, who had previously been convicted of assaulting a former partner and had a history of domestic violence, pleaded guilty to Poole’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Jennifer left behind her heartbroken family and two young children. The first child “she had when she was only sixteen” and the other was only four years old when he “heard the screams for help’’ from his mother as she was murdered, according to Poole’s brother, Jason Poole.
Jason Poole, Jennifer’s brother outside Central Criminal Court in April 2022. Credit: Collins Photo Agency
Jennie’s brother and the rest of her family have been calling for action from government to introduce ‘Jennie’s Law’. The UK introduced a similar law, ‘Clare’s Law’, in 2014 and 2018 across all of the UK, named after the late Clare Wood, who like Jennie was murdered by her partner.
The Poole family released a petition to the public, addressed to Minister O’Callaghan, for the enactment of Jennie’s Law. The petition has received over 27,000 signatures.
Jennie’s law will finally see the establishment of a domestic violence register for the first time in Irish history.
This means those who have been convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner will be named on a public register.
The Department of Justice has said that the register will include information on those with a history of “serious domestic violence convictions”.
O’Callaghan has stated the register will include details on those who have been found guilty of “a serious assault of an intimate partner” by the courts.
“So, what about the likes of stalking, harassment, coercive control, financial abuse, will these be serious enough to put people on the register?” Maire Devine, Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on domestic violence, said.
According to Women’s Aid, emergency services were contacted over 32,000 times with reports of domestic abuse in 2024, marking the highest contact rates in the organisation’s 50-year history.
“If this law had already been in place, I really think Jennifer would still be with us today,” Jason Poole, Jennifer’s brother, said.
“We are helping to save the lives of people by changing the culture around domestic violence, this law will make victims/potential victims know who exactly their living with,” Poole said.
“For us as a family, it is great to see Jennie be remembered in history and that men and women will be protected by this law, but it is heartbreaking we will never get her back,” Jason added.
“It is a massive moment, too often these situations end in tragedy, and the implementation has to be straightway, victims need this,” Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion said.
“The Poole family have fought tremendously for this change, what they have done will save the lives of many and give a voice to the voiceless,” Funchion added.
Funchion, like Jennie, was also a victim of domestic abuse. Funchion’s ex partner Sean Tyrell was jailed earlier this year with charges of coercive control under Coco’s Law.
The law’s introduction also comes in light of a fresh domestic abuse report from 21-year-old victim Niamh Kelly, who miraculously survived after being stabbed 50 times by her ex-boyfriend Josh O’Brien in South Dublin.
For more information or support on domestic violence, please see HSE or you can contact the Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900.
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