Who We Are

AdVIC is a non-profit organisation established in April 2005 by families bereaved by homicide, for families bereaved by homicide.

Throughout our website you will see the word ‘Homicide’; this is a legal term that describes murder, manslaughter or any unlawful killing. The aftermath of a homicide is a time of immense trauma, and the task of seeking out the necessary information to cope with this can be very daunting. Many families reported that their trauma was exacerbated by the fact that they did not know their rights, or understand the system in which they found themselves. In setting up AdVIC, one of our objectives was to help families access relevant information. We at AdVIC have tried to collate as much of this information as possible in one location, on this website.

The purpose of our website is to set out clearly our objectives for changes while providing vital information to help families deal with the practicalities arising after a homicide. This information can be found in our Information Section. However, while we have tried to include as much information as possible, we would welcome any further information you feel would be helpful. You can contact us here.

Advocating for changes in our Criminal Justice system

A further objective of AdVIC is to advocate for changes in our Criminal Justice system, a system which we have found to lack fairness and balance, and within which the families of homicide victims have no status. We advocate for the following changes…

A state appointed Victim liaison officer for families of homicide victims

• Minimum starting tariffs similar to the UK model to be introduced in all homicide conviction
• In tandem, a judicial council to be empowered to publish suitable guidelines on sentencing
• Bail laws to be tilted and implemented by the judiciary
• Revision of Parole and Release from Prison System
• Revision  of concurrent sentences
• Revision  of article 10 of the Injury Compensation Tribunal scheme

AdVIC is managed through an executive committee of 10 to 15 people who meet once a month. The committee is elected at our yearly AGM.

Officers for 2021/2022

• Chairperson: Barbara Clinton
• Vice-Chairperson and Founder: Joan Deane
• Secretary: Helen Doyle
• Treasurer: Ger Guinee
• Head of Counselling: Marie Percival
• Committee member: John O’Mahony
• Committee member: Winifred Fox
• Committee member: Sinead Moore
• Committee member: Colleen Colley
• Committee member: Tony O’Connell