Drafting of guardianship removal legislation 'Valerie's Law' at advanced stage, justice minister says

The legislation will see guardianship rights removed from anyone convicted of killing thparent of their child

West Cork woman Valerie French Kilroy was murdered by her husband James Kilroy in Westport, Co Mayo, in 2019.

A law which would see guardianship rights removed from anyone convicted of killing their partner or parent of their child is at an advanced stage of drafting, according to the justice minister.

Known as Valerie’s Law, the legislation is the result of campaigning by the brother of 41-year-old Valerie French Kilroy, who was murdered by her husband James Kilroy in Westport, Co Mayo, in 2019. Ms French Kilroy was originally from West Cork.

Kilroy was convicted in 2024 but retains his guardianship rights over their children, ensuring he has a right to know where they live and to be involved in major decisions affecting their lives.

The Government brought forward the General Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill, 2025 last year.

Speaking at the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Forum in Dublin this week, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “When I published the 2025–2026 Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan, I highlighted several key areas of legislative reform that I was committed to pursuing. This includes the removal of guardianship of a child from those convicted of killing their intimate partner or ex-partner, and drafting is now at an advanced stage.” 

The bill would allow an application to be brought to the District Court to remove guardianship rights from the perpetrator. This application should be sought within six months, with the court then ordering a guardian to be appointed for the child.

Mr O’Callaghan also referenced Jennie’s Law, approved last September by the Cabinet. When enacted, the legislation will allow the establishment of a Domestic Violence Register. The legislation is named after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner Gavin Murphy in 2021.

The Domestic Violence Register will be managed by the Courts Service and victims will be required to provide consent before the convicted abuser can be named on the public register. Names will remain on the register for three years, with the possibility of removal upon request. The legislation for the register underwent pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Justice Committee earlier this year.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “The recommendations of the committee will be carefully considered once received by my department.” 

Meanwhile, a report being prepared by the National Observatory of Violence Against Women and Girls will be released on April 27. It focuses on engagement with survivors of violence against women and girls.

The National Women’s Council chairs the observatory. The council’s executive director Corrinne Hasson told the forum among the key findings of the research was survivor engagement in policy must not be tokenistic. It found “diverse perspectives should be included at every stage of the framework’s design, development, implementation and review”. 

She added: “The survivor engagement structure must recognise how racism, structural discrimination, poverty and exclusion shape the experience of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including substance use, mental health support needs, homelessness, involvement in the justice system, poverty and disadvantage."