'Valerie's law' petition seeks to strip child guardianship rights from parents who murder their partners

Brother of murdered West Cork woman Valerie French Kilroy says a 'loophole in child safety in Ireland' allows people who kill their partners or ex-partners to retain guardianship of their shared children 

David French, centre, says legislation is needed 'to protect children from killers'. Picture: Collins

The brother of a West Cork mother of three brutally murdered by her husband has started a petition to the justice minister calling for parents who murder their child’s other parent to lose guardianship rights over them.

David French is calling for ‘Valerie’s law', named after his sister Valerie French Kilroy, to be introduced into Irish law so that parents who intentionally kill their partners lose guardianship rights of their shared children.

Currently there "is a loophole in child safety in Ireland" because people who kill their partners or ex-partners fully retain guardianship of any shared children, Mr French said.

A bill is already being drafted by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and has the cross-party support of other West Cork TDs.

The petition, launched on Saturday, has already collected more than 800 signatures out of its 1,000 target.

Valerie French Kilroy was 'savagely slaughtered' by her husband, who showed no remorse, according to her brother David.

Valerie was "savagely slaughtered" by her husband James Kilroy, who showed no remorse and tried to avoid accountability for her murder, Mr French said. 

Kilroy was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison last month. 

“Killing the mother of a child is child abuse. Society should protect children from their abusers,” the petition, established by Mr French, says. 

Despite his murder conviction, the killer retains his guardianship rights over their children. This means the murderer has a right to know where they live, how they are progressing in school, and to be involved in major decisions affecting their lives.

“This is a loophole in child safety in Ireland. Children exist in their own right and are not stepping stones in the rehabilitation of others. Their safety, privacy, rights, and opinions have to be taken into account."

In May 2024 the UK enacted 'Jade’s Law' so that a person who is convicted of killing their partner or ex-partner, will lose their parental responsibility for their children from that relationship, Mr French said.

The law in Ireland also needs to change so that when someone is convicted of a killing there would be an automatic removal of guardianship of any children shared with the victim.

“We need legislation to protect children from killers by placing this recommendation into law as soon as possible," he said.

The petition can be viewed at change.org