AdVIC welcome the signing into law of Jennie’s Law and Valerie’s Law—a major milestone in strengthening protections for victims and their families.
On 22 July 2026, President Catherine Connolly signed into law the Domestic Violence Judgments Register Act 2026 (Jennie’s Law) and the Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Act 2026 (Valerie’s Law), following their passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Jennie’s Law, formally the Domestic Violence Judgments Register Act 2026, is named in memory of Jennifer Poole, a mother of two who was murdered by her former partner in 2021. Unknown to Jennifer, he had a history of domestic abuse and a previous conviction. The Act establishes a Domestic Violence Judgments Register, representing an important step in strengthening protections for victims of domestic violence by improving access to information that can help individuals make informed decisions about their safety.
Valerie’s Law, formally the Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Act 2026, is named in memory of Valerie French, a mother of three who was murdered by her husband in 2019. The legislation removes, in certain circumstances, guardianship rights from a parent convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent of their child, placing the welfare and best interests of children at the centre of the law.
