Brother Of Domestic Violence Victim Continues To Call For Domestic Violence Register

Last year, Jason Poole stood outside Leinster House as legislation to establish this register, dubbed 'Jenny's Law', was introduced to the Seanad

The brother of a woman who was murdered by her former partner is calling for a domestic violence register, similar to one operating for sex offenders.

Last year, Jason Poole stood outside Leinster House as legislation to establish this register, dubbed 'Jenny's Law', was introduced to the Seanad.

Jennifer Poole, a mother of two, was stabbed seven times by her former partner, Gavin Murphy, in her apartment in Finglas in April 2021.

She was 24-years-old.

Jennifer Poole. Image via Rip.ie

Murphy admitted to murdering her, and was handed a life sentence.

Now, her brother is calling for this domestic violence register, which he believes could have saved Jennifer's life.

The bill had previously progressed to its third stage but faced delays in gaining support from the Department of Justice.

Jason Poole outside the Central Criminal Court in April 2022. Credit: Collins Photo Agency

Gavin Murphy was on a garda register and served time in prison, which was unknown to Jennifer.

Speaking on this morning's Kildare Today show, Jason described that if Jenny's Law was enforced, "there would be a right to ask and a right to tell mechanism, where if a person is on the register and they are in a new relationship, and the guards are called, [they] would have a duty of care to the victim and if there's children".

If enforced, the victim would be informed that that person is on a domestic violence register.

"What we're finding, and what we're seeing in all of the cases where women's lives have been taken, it's either a current or ex-partner who has been involved in it.

"Nine times out of ten, it's a domestic violence background, and these people are not getting the supports they need", said Jason.

In Kildare, 2,164 cases of domestic abuse were reported last year, with 620 cases reported in the first quarter of this year.

As reported by Kfm yesterday, Fianna Fail has promised that they will enact legislation to establish a Domestic Violence Register - despite expectations that the Government would introduce it before Christmas last year.

You can listen back to the full interview with Jason Poole here:

If you or a loved one are affected, helplines can be found below:

Women's Aid - 1800 341 900

Men's Aid - 01 554 3811