Justice minister to establish register for those convicted of serious sexual assault or domestic violence
Minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan was speaking in respect of Jennie's Law, which proposes introducing a register which would give gardaí the power to be able to inform somebody, when asked, whether their partner has a violent history. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins
Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan has committed to creating a register of those convicted of rape, serious sexual assault, or domestic violence which would be available to the public.
The publication of such a register, which would be divulged to the public in the same way as tax offenders, has raised concerns about the risk to a victim's right to anonymity.
However, Mr O'Callaghan said it is "incomprehensible" that the details of tax evaders would be published but not a list of people convicted of rape or serious sexual assault.
Responding to the minister's comments, Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said: "We would want to have assurances that this would not put any victim’s anonymity at risk and we look forward to working with him to ensure the right balance between exposing perpetrators and protecting future and past victims is found."
Currently, the only way the public knows that an individual has been convicted of crimes related to sexual and domestic violence is if it is reported in the media or if a victim makes the decision to speak publicly.
"I think that is too much for them and we need to have a system in place where there is a system of information of people who have been convicted of serious offences," Mr O'Callaghan said.
The minister was speaking in respect of Jennie's Law, which proposes introducing a register that would give gardaí the power to be able to inform somebody, when asked, whether their partner has a violent history.
The bill is known as Jennie's Law, named after Jennifer Poole, who was killed by Gavin Murphy in April 2021. She had not been aware that Murphy had a history of domestic violence.
Mr O'Callaghan said he believes that where a person is convicted of a serious criminal offence there is "an obligation on the State to ensure that information is available".
In terms of a publicly available register, Mr O'Callaghan did not provide details on how often it would be published.
He did, however, note that rehabilitation would need to be taken into account saying: "I do not want to see people permanently criminalized."
Mr O'Callaghan also said that such a list would not be retrospective.
Separately, the minister said a memo is due to go to Government next month on legislation to remove guardianship rights from convicted killers.
When passed, it would mean that any time a person is convicted of the murder or manslaughter of another parent or guardian of a child they have had, an application would be brought to the District Court and it would have the power and ability to remove guardianship from the perpetrator.
The legislation is known as Valerie's Law, named after Valerie French who was murdered by her husband James Kilroy at their house in Mayo in June 2019.
Ms French's brother David has urged the Government to ensure guardian rights for their children are stripped from convicted killers.
David French was among a group of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and families who were present in the Dáil for the debate on a motion on the matter brought by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger.
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