Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-16
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Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), Administrative Panel

As the Minister knows, just over five years ago, on 17 April 2021, Jennie Poole was killed in cold blood in just seven seconds by her former partner. Jennie had done all the right things. She had finished the relationship when she saw signs of domestic abuse and coercive control. Jennie's family, much bereaved, started a campaign at that point to make sure her legacy would live on. Jennie was a much-loved daughter of Jackie and Joe, and Joe is with us this evening. She was a much cherished sister of Jason, David, Clara and Lorna. Jason, an effortless campaigner, is also with us this evening. Most of all, she was a wonderful mother to Nevaeh and to Zack. She was beloved by so many and, as Jason said, she had so much more to give to this world.
I want to commend all of the work that Jason, in particular, has put in over the last five years. He never took no for an answer. He worked with me, Deputy McAuliffe and the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to make sure we would get to this day. It nearly gives me goosebumps to hold this legislation in my hand. I also want to welcome David French, who I met a number of weeks ago and I know has campaigned tirelessly for Valerie's law. It is a great tribute to the Minister that within just over a year of him becoming Minister we have before us both pieces of legislation, which make a huge difference to victims of domestic violence and their families. We would far rather that there were no victims, and that the Minister would have put a lot of preventative measures in place, but sadly we have victims and we must do our best to support them.
The Minister said he was determined that this legislation would be enacted before the summer recess. He gave his word and his word was his bond. I certainly appreciate that having initiated Jennie's law in the Seanad, he chose to start this really important legislation in this House. That is very much appreciated. He has said that Jennie's law is a short Bill but a key component of the work he and his Department are carrying out. It may be a short Bill but it is dealing with an incredibly complex situation. I have no doubt that when this is enacted it will give victims - mainly women, as he pointed out - important information in relation to safety. It will establish a mechanism to seek out, from an official source, details of a past history of serious offending that would give warning of an increased risk of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. This really important information will benefit those in a relationship or considering entering a relationship with such a person, and this is what Jason has campaigned for all of the time. The Minister spoke about the way this will happen within the court system, and I note that within the legislation, where a victim is deceased the decision on publication rests with the court. I certainly hope that the court would take notice of what the family in this situation want. That is particularly important.
My time is now up. I ask for the support of all my fellow Senators who have supported Jennie's law along the way to ensure we pass the necessary Stages in the Seanad and the Dáil in order that we have this legislation enacted before we go into recess, as a means of paying tribute to an incredible young woman, Jennie, and her relentlessly campaigning brother, Jason. Go raibh maith agaibh.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-16