AFTER years of tirelessly campaigning for new domestic abuse legislation to help protect people after the brutal murder of his sister, Jason Poole has finally received the confirmation he has long been waiting for.
But Jason – who has been leading the fight for Jennie’s Law since her death in 2021 – has no plans to take his foot off the pedal despite being told the law will be brought in.
Jennifer was murdered in her Finglas flat by abusive partner Gavin Murphy, who had a history of domestic violence that she was unaware of.
For almost four years, Jason has been calling on the Minister for Justice to introduce Jennie’s Law – legislation which would see convicted domestic abusers named on a publicly available list.
It’s hoped that the list would help potential victims to identify abusive partners and prevent another family going through the horrific trauma experienced by the Poole family and countless others throughout the years.
Jason confirmed that he has met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, who promised him that a draft legislation for Jennie’s Law has been drawn up.
He told the Irish Sun: “I met with the Minister last week and it was a very productive meeting.
“It was the first time we’ve had a meeting with the Justice Minister and his officials where everyone was on the same page and the Attorney General was on the same page.
“I was presented with a draft proposal of what Jennie’s Law would look like, I’ve now got to go and meet two barristers to go through that to make sure there aren’t any loopholes.
“I just want it to be right from my side, because it’s my sister’s name.
“He has given his commitment that it will be known as Jennie’s Law. It will be another 12 months because it won’t be an amendment to existing legislation, it will be more of a new piece
“It will involve some sort of public register.
“And all of that has been given the approval of the Attorney General, so what’s happening now is department officials are waiting on me to read the document and respond if there’s anything that I’m unhappy with, then meet them again to go through that process with them.
“And then he plans to bring that draft proposal to Cabinet to get their approval to go through the House and the Committee stage.”
A petition to bring about Jennie’s Law has amassed thousands of signatures, and Jason has promised to keep circulating it until the law is brought in.
‘CAN’T TAKE FOOT OFF PEDAL’
He said: “The petition is doing well, I’m in Croke Park on July 13 and hopefully I’ll be able to speak at half time on Jennie’s Law.
“It’s important that we still go forward with the petition, it isn’t over yet and we don’t want to take our foot off the pedal now and for the Attorney General or the guards to put a blockage in any way.
“We still need to know that the public are supporting this. It is going well, it’s made greater progress in the past six months than it has in the previous two years.
“We’re meeting up, not next week, but the week, after in the Dail and then from there it’s going to be back and forth.
“I’m also meeting with some of the Opposition parties to go through what Jennie’s Law is so that they understand when it does when it comes to the stage in the Houses, so that they’re also supporting it.”
VIOLENT PAST HIDDEN
Mum-of-two Jennie was stabbed seven times at her Dublin apartment by ex-partner Murphy in April 2021.
She had met Murphy, from Ballymun, in May 2020, with the killer moving into her home in Finglas “reasonably quickly” after their relationship began.
But it was only during a sentencing at the Central Criminal Court that Jennie’s family learned that Murphy had previously been jailed for attacking a former partner and her mother with a knife in 2015.
The calculating beast hid his past as a violent abuser of women from loving mum Jennie.
Instead of confessing he had been imprisoned for attacking a previous partner and her mum with a knife, Murphy told carer Jennie that he had been working away in Spain.
NOT JUST FOR WOMEN
However, Jason refuted the idea that the law would only protect female victims of domestic abuse.
He said male and female convicted abusers would be named, while men, women, and children would be protected by it.
Jason said: “There’s a misconception out there that this is only for women – and that’s baloney. It’s a domestic violence register that is for men and women, and I just want for that to be clear so that there’s no stupid comments coming up in the Dail.
“As I keep saying, it’s great that we’re getting there, but every time, it’s my sister’s name, it’s still my sister.
“I said to them I don’t want any negativity to be coming toward this at all.
“I just want it to be right from my side, because it’s my sister’s name.”
Jason Poole
“I want to be clear, it’s for men and women. You have to have a conviction, you can’t just go on a register because the guards are called to your house and it’s a fight.
“This is in cases of domestic violence where the victim has taken a case and it’s gone to court, and the judge will decide if the person goes on the register or not.
“That’s really what needs to be clear, and I just want that to come across when I meet the Opposition.
“So that’s the work for the next couple of weeks. It is positive it’s moving forward.”
NAME ATTACHED TO IT
Jason continued: “The Minister is adamant, he had three areas that he wanted to focus on, he got two in and this is the third and he’s all in favour of it.
“The Minister wants to make sure it’s done right because there’s a family at the other side of it, and that there’s a name going to be attached to it.
“I’ve been very conscious from the very beginning that I want this in my sister’s name. So in order for her name to be connected to it I want to make sure it’s right, and I think they’re making sure that it’s right, so that there isn’t Jennie’s Law thrown out of court.
“When Jennifer’s name is used again, it will be seen in a positive way.
“The legislation will have its own name but it will be known as Jennie’s Law.
“In Irish legislation you can’t have legislation in somebody’s name but it will be known as Jennie’s Law.”
‘VICTIMS’ RESPONSE’
And Jason said the fight is not over as he hopes the legislation will help not only domestic abuse victims but their children and families as well.
Tragic Jennifer left behind two children, who are now aged eight and 11.
Jason explained: “There’s still a lot to be done. I’m happy that it has progressed, it’s exhausting and time-consuming as a family having to fight a system.
“It is a system, but I want to make sure that the most important people who are happy with it are the victims.
“They’re the ones who are going to have to be in court, so we need to be mindful of that and I’ve spoken to a couple of victims who are happy with Jennie’s Law, but it’s important that we’re protecting them at all costs.
“As a family we’re happy with it. It isn’t over by any means but it’s been a massive progress and to have Jim O’Callaghan on board, and with all the knowledge he has, has only added to the support and making sure we’ve got it right.”
CASES ON THE RISE
And Jason said the time for action is now after a recent report by Women’s Aid revealed that domestic violence cases are on the rise in Ireland.
In 2024, 44 per cent of women who contacted Gardai about the issue found their response “unhelpful”.
Jason said: “The launch of the Women’s Aid report this year was shocking.
“It’s time now that action is measured and taken. We can’t keep having all of these figures released and nothing happens.
“The more we talk about it and the more people continue to be aware of it the better.
“When Jennifer’s name is used again, it will be seen in a positive way.
Jason Poole
“It’s too late for us and too late for our family, but you never know the generation behind us may need it, other people could do with it now.
“I do think it’s going to be a game-changing for victims of domestic abuse and assault, assault causing harm.
“I think Jennie would be proud that there’s a legacy left behind for her children and for her children to know that their mammy didn’t die in vain and was forgotten about.
“We have to take into account all the other women who have lost their lives to domestic violence and they’re not going to have legislation in their name, but I hope their families will see the benefit of this and if that legislation had been in when their loved ones were alive they might still be here.”
TOUGH ON KIDS
He added: “I think Jennifer would be proud. I think she would be happy that we haven’t given up, that we didn’t just put her into a grave and walk away and forget about her.
“As much as it’s difficult, every time you talk about it you’re reliving that moment, that day, that week.
“Trying to shield her children from all this is difficult. They don’t want to be walking into a supermarket and seeing their mammy on the front page, or turning on the TV and seeing a documentary about their mammy.
“We have to remember that in a lot of these cases there are children, and those children went through a lot and this is for them.”
PROGRESS CONFIRMATION
The Justice Department confirmed that Minister O’Callaghan met with Jason to move forward with Jennie’s Law.
They said: “Minister Jim O’Callaghan met with Jason Poole on June 18, 2025, where they had a comprehensive discussion on putting Jennie’s Law on a statutory footing.
“Minister O’Callaghan outlined his legislative plans to Mr Poole and it was agreed that the proposals would be finalised as a matter of priority.
“Minister O’Callaghan will continue to engage with Mr Poole as the legislation is progressed.”
- If you have been affected by domestic or gender-based violence or need support, you can contact the Women’s Aid 24-hour National Freephone Helpline at 1800 341 900 or the Male Advice Line at 1800 816 588.
Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that Jennie’s Law is moving forward[/caption]
