A petition set up by murdered Jennifer Poole’s brother, urging the Justice Minister to introduce ‘Jennie’s Law’ domestic abuse register has gained over 19,000 signatures since its launch two weeks ago - and a further 5,000 handwritten signatures so far.
Mum-of-two Jennifer, was stabbed to death by her ex, Gavin Murphy, four years ago on April 17, 2021 in her apartment in Melville Drive, Finglas in north Dublin when she was just 24. Murphy is currently serving a life sentence for her murder.
Jennifer was unaware Murphy had a history of abusive behaviour, including a conviction for assaulting a former partner. She believed Murphy had just returned from Spain, when in fact he had been in jail.
Since her death, Jennifer’s brother, Jason has been campaigning for a domestic abuse register, which would allow those with concerns to ask authorities for information about a partner’s violent past.
We at The Irish Mirror are supporting Jason in his campaign for ‘Jennie’s Law.’
Jason has been calling on the Government for a number of measures under ‘Jennie’s Law’ to be implemented to help stop the violence against women.
He says if there was a domestic abuse register in place before evil Murphy murdered his beloved sister, Jennifer would still be alive today as she would have been able to check Murphy’s background to know he has a previous conviction for domestic violence.
Earlier this year, Jason was reassured by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan there is “no issue” with the domestic abuse register, known as Jennie’s Law, and meetings will take place between gardai and the Attorney General “to progress” it.
With no time frame as to when ‘Jennie’s Law’ will become legislation, Jason has now launched a petition campaign, which we revealed two weeks ago, as part of the fight for Jennie’s Law as well as to build awareness of the campaign.
He is also holding Pop Up drives in shopping centres including in The Pavilions in Swords, Co Dublin this Sunday, April 21 from 10am to 4pm and at Jennie’s GAA Club Erin’s Isle in Finglas on Saturday, April 26 during a Feile tournament.
“The campaign is gathering momentum,” Jason told us on Tuesday. “Domestic abuse and the domestic abuse register we are campaigning for is being talked about more and more and we are building awareness and want people who support the campaign to share the online petition too.”
The petition, called ‘Protect Lives - Create Jennie’s Law: A Domestic Abuse Register for Ireland' on Uplift.ie, is addressed to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, stating a Domestic Abuse Register would prevent abusers from hiding their past and trapping new victims.
“Currently, there is no way for someone to check if a new partner has a violent history, leaving countless people vulnerable to dangerous relationships,” Jason wrote in an open letter to Minister O’Callaghan on the petition.
“Jennie’s Law would change this by introducing a Domestic Abuse Register for repeat offenders and those with convictions; a Right to Ask policy, so individuals can check if a partner has a history of abuse; a Right to Know system, allowing gardaí to proactively warn those at risk.; criminal penalties for abusers who deceive new partners about their past and improved protections and legal aid for survivors.
“Other countries have already taken these steps to protect victims—Ireland must not fall behind," wrote Jason. “No one should have to suffer abuse simply because their abuser was allowed to hide their past.
“By introducing Jennie’s Law, you can help prevent further harm and save lives,” Jason wrote, urging the Minister to “please take action now to make Ireland safer for everyone.”
“We cannot allow more people to suffer in silence, unknowingly trapped in abusive relationships,” Jason wrote, urging people to “sign the petition to demand urgent action from the Irish Government—because knowledge is power, and lives depend on it.”
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