TDs lobbied as Offaly domestic violence calls for changes to law

A bid to have new legislation on domestic violence named in honour of a 24-year old Dublin woman who was murdered by her ex-partner is being strongly supported by Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS).

In an address this week to an Oireachtas Committee on Justice, which is examining changes to the law on domestic violence, the CEO of the Offaly service, Anne Clarke, said it was “strongly supportive” of the call to name the legislation 'Jennie's Law' once it is adopted as an Act.

The call for the re-naming of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence) Bill was made at the Oireachtas Committee by Jason Poole, whose sister, Jennifer, was murdered by her ex-partner, Gavin Murphy, in 2021.

Since his sister's murder, Mr Poole has been strongly advocating for those convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner to be publicly named on a Register of Judgments, and he has been working closely on the proposed change to the legislation with Anne Clarke and the staff of ODVSS.

“The experience of having someone's name placed on a domestic violence register is very different for a woman living in a rural setting to what it would be for someone in a big city, where it is easier to remain anonymous,” Anne pointed out, “and Jason Poole was very anxious for us to be able to convey this to the Oireachtas committee and to relay our own experience of working at the coalface with victims of domestic violence in a largely rural area."

Having already made a written submission to the Oireachtas Committee before Christmas, Anne Clarke outlined to committee members this week the issues which ODVSS would like to see being addressed as part of changes to domestic violence legislation.

While being “very supportive” of the proposal to have those with a conviction for domestic violence publicly named on a Register of Judgements, she admits that there are “a number of shortcomings” that need to be examined, including that fact that stalking and coercive control are not included as part of the register.

She is also critical of the fact that it is proposed that names on the register can be removed after three years. “We feel three years is not long enough, and we also made the point that the names of those with a conviction should only be placed on the register after they have completed their sentence.”

The introduction of a register is seen as “an important tool” in the overall legislation governing domestic violence, but Anne Clarke said it is “imperative” that proper risk assessment is carried out at all stages of the process so that women feel “safe and protected” throughout.

“It was great for a local service like ours to be at the table in Leinster House and be able to address the Oireachtas Committee and get our viewpoint across,” she said, “and we look forward to continuing to be engaged in this very important process”

Anne Clarke was accompanied to the Oireachtas Committee presentation by Molly Buckley, chair of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service.