Families of homicide victims welcome plans for minimum jail terms

John Whelan, foster brother of murder victim Sharon Whelan, speaking after Brian Hennessy pleaded guilty to her murder and the murder of her two daughters at their home in 2008. Hennessy was sentenced to three life sentences, two of which were to be served consecutively. File picture: Collins Courts

Families of homicide victims have welcomed announcements by Justice Minister Helen McEntee to allow the courts to impose minimum jail terms for certain murders.

AdVIC (Advocates for the Victims of Homicide) said it has been campaigning for such legal changes for a long time and will be keeping an eye out for the published proposals.