On 15 July 2026, two significant pieces of legislation, known as Jennie’s Law and Valerie’s Law, completed their legislative journey through parliament and now await signature by President Catherine Connolly.
The Domestic Violence Judgments Register Act 2026 (Jennie’s Law) 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 will establish Ireland’s first publicly accessible domestic violence judgments register. It will help to provide greater protection and access to information for those at risk.
The Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Act 2026 (Valerie’s Law) 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.
These important laws have come about through the determination of Jennifer’s and Valerie’s families, who chose to channel their grief into campaigning for change. In particular, Jason Poole and David French have worked tirelessly over several years to ensure that the experiences of their sisters would lead to greater protection for others.
While no law can undo the devastating loss of Jennifer and Valerie, their legacy will help protect others from experiencing similar tragedy. AdVIC acknowledges the extraordinary commitment of the Poole and French families and welcomes this significant milestone in strengthening protections for victims and their families.