McAuliffe welcomes passing of Jennie’s Law

The law will see the establishment of a nationwide Domestic Violence Register in memory of Jennifer Poole, a young woman from Finglas, who had her life cut short at the age of 24, in 2021, as a result of domestic violence by her ex-partner.

Jennie’s Law will give people who have concerns about their partner the right to find out if their partner has a history of violent convictions. The Domestic Violence Register (Domestic Violence Register Judgments) will be managed by the Courts Service and victims will be required to provide consent before the convicted abuser can be named on the public register.

Commenting on today’s announcement, the Dublin North-West TD said “I commend the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, my colleague Senator Fiona O’Loughlin and most importantly Jason Poole, Jennifer’s brother and family who have been working tirelessly over the past number of years to ensure that Jennie’s Law is progressed and brought into law. It aims to protect those living with domestic violence.

Today’s announcement is a culmination of years of hard work, advocacy and determination by all on this campaign. Jennifer Poole was a mother of two, a healthcare worker at Beneavin Lodge Care Home, and played camogie with Erin’s Isle. The Bill will be known as Jennie’s Law in memory of Jennifer.

Jennie’s Law will protect those living with domestic violence and will also create a register for those with previous convictions of domestic violence. Right now, there are similar registers in jurisdictions elsewhere such as Clare’s Law in England and Wales.

This law will be transformative in helping people across Ireland, who are in a relationship, to discover whether their partner has a history of serious domestic violence convictions.”