Jim O'Callaghan launches Domestic Violence Judgments Register

Lascán Comhairle, I welcome the opportunity to present the Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026 to Dáil Éireann. The genesis of this legislation is in October 2025, when the drafting of the Criminal Law, Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments Bill was approved by government. In May this year, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration published its report on pre-legislative scrutiny of that general scheme. Last month, I secured Cabinet approval to progress the provisions in relation to the Domestic Violence Judgments Register as a stand-alone bill. I was determined to expedite and speed up that legislation, as this is a key commitment for me. It is something which I really believe will bring about positive change in our ongoing battle against domestic sexual and gender-based violence. This legislation, as deputies will be aware, has its origins in an appalling crime. In 2021, Jennifer Poole, an innocent young woman, was brutally murdered by her former partner. Jennifer's murderer had a history of violence against women, and in the past had spent time in prison for these crimes. Jennifer did not know this. The Poole family, in particular Jennifer's brother Jason, have campaigned tirelessly for this legislation. In doing so, their aim is to protect women like Jenny from violent predators. I have previously stated that this legislation will be known as Jenny's Law, and I want to reiterate it again here in this House. It will stand as a tribute to their beloved sister, daughter, mother, and to their own steadfast determination to achieve lasting change in her memory. I want to commend Jason Poole and all the Poole family for their work in this regard. The purpose of this legislation is to provide for the publication of judgments relating to serious domestic violence offences. It is a straightforward aim, yet it is something which is not routinely done at present. Currently, media representatives report on cases from our courtrooms in line with the constitutional principle that justice should be done in public. However, attendance is constrained by scheduling and resources. There are not media representatives at every trial. As such, some judgments of juries are reported on while others are not. There is no means by which someone can ascertain what has happened in cases which are not reported on in the media. I believe that serious instances of domestic or sexual violence, assault or abuse ought to be effectively publicised as part of the trial process. That is what this legislation sets out to do. A publicly available register of judgments will assist people who are in a relationship or considering a relationship with a person to ascertain whether they have a history of serious domestic violence convictions. I will now outline the provisions of the Bill for the House. Section 1 of the Bill amends the Domestic Violence Act 2018 by inserting a new Part 3A into that Act. The new Part 3A provides that the court service will establish and maintain a register of judgments. This will be known as the Domestic Violence Judgments Register, and it will be available on the courts.ie website. The register encompasses serious offences such as murder, manslaughter, rape and sexual assault. In addition, a number of indictable offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against a Person Act 1997, such as assault causing harm and serious harm, harassment and stalking, are covered. Coercive control under Section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 also comes within the scope of the legislation, as well as distributing, publishing or threatening to distribute or publish an intimate image without consent under COCO's law. The register will capture these heinous crimes where they are committed by a partner or a former partner against a victim. As everyone in this chamber knows, the perpetrators of such offences are predominantly, but not always, men, while the victims are predominantly, but not always, women. I say this to underline that this is the reality of gender-based violence. It is at the discretion of the trial judge whether or not to publish a judgment, which must include details of conviction and sentence, as well as the name, age and address, where available, of the abuser. The judge in a case is best placed to determine whether the publication of a judgment is warranted, given the particular circumstances of each case. It is also open to the judge to omit the residential address of the perpetrator where it is not considered appropriate to publish that information. Let me point out that a judgment may only be published where the victim gives their consent. Such consent is a prerequisite to publication. To be clear, the victim will not be named in these judgments. Nevertheless, where the perpetrator is named, the victim may be identifiable. As such, publication cannot and should not occur without their consent. Where a victim is deceased, the decision on publication rests with the court. Part 3a also sets out a procedure by which a convicted person can apply for the relevant judgment to be removed from the register. An application can only be made three years after the person has served their sentence and been released from prison. In considering whether removal of the judgment is warranted, the judge must have regard to any further convictions or any efforts at rehabilitation on the part of the perpetrator. Importantly, the views of the victim are also to be taken into account where they are available. Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Bill provide for consequential amendments to the Criminal Law Rape Act 1981, the Nonfatal Offences Against a Person Act 1997, and the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, respectively. In essence, these amendments ensure that nothing in those pieces of legislation precludes the publication of a judgment in the Domestic Violence Judgments Register. Section 5 of the Bill is a standard provision which provides for the short title and commencement of the Bill. This piece of legislation is straightforward. It establishes a framework for a register of judgments which will contain judgments in relation to serious crimes committed by an abuser against a current or former partner. What this legislation will provide is a vital resource in relation to safety. In setting out details of a history of serious offending, it will benefit those who may be in a relationship or considering entering a relationship with such a person. Offending of this nature clearly gives warning of an increased risk of domestic sexual or gender-based violence, knowledge which may be crucial in enabling people to make informed decisions about their personal relationships. The register is a tool which addresses a lacuna in our justice system in order to try to keep people safer. The parameters of the legislation have been carefully drawn, narrowly drawn some might say. I expect there may be calls to expand the scope of the register or to broaden its remit. However, I want to stress that this legislation is novel. It remains to be seen how it will function in practice. I also expect that the legislation will be challenged in the courts. I believe that the legislation has been appropriately calibrated, that it is a measured and proportionate response to serious offending. My view is that it is prudent to introduce the register in a circumspect manner. Once operationalised, the impact of the legislation can be assessed with due consideration but for any further measures. I want to close by reiterating the commitment of myself and this government to tackling the scourge of gender-based violence. The register will form part of the government's zero tolerance approach to domestic sexual and gender-based violence. We must make it crystal clear that there is no place for such behaviour in our society. Those with serious criminal convictions for such offences should not be able to escape the consequences of their behaviour. People in relationships or considering entering into relationships with convicted offenders deserve to know about their past. They are entitled to make informed decisions about their personal lives. Abusers thrive on secrecy and shame. However, there is a fundamental principle of our legal system that justice is to be done in public. This register will contribute to ensuring that criminal convictions for those heinous crimes are appropriately publicised. Let me end by acknowledging again the dedication of Jason Poole and his family, who have campaigned tirelessly for real and lasting change in memory of their cherished Jenny. Jenny's law will help to keep women safe, which is a fitting tribute to her memory. I urge Deputies to work with me to get this important Bill through this House before the recess.