Family of man killed by abusive partner welcome 'greater transparency' of new law
(Left to right) Lynn , Ellie, and Karen Ryan, daughters of the late James Ryan. 'This reform marks an important step towards strengthening fairness, transparency and accountability within our justice system'. Photo: Moya Nolan
The family of a man killed by his partner after years of abuse has welcomed the enactment of new legislation requiring character references in serious criminal cases to be given under oath, saying it will bring “greater transparency and accountability to the sentencing process”.
James 'Shey' Ryan, aged 60, from Balbriggan and formerly East Wall in Dublin, died after he was pushed to the ground by his violent partner Olesja Hertova, age 51, on August 10, 2024.
He was rushed to Beaumont Hospital by emergency services, where he died the next day. CCTV showed her running at Mr Ryan outside their home in Balbriggan, where he fell.
The Ryan family has campaigned for changes to the law since the death of their father who suffered catastrophic head injuries during the violent episode.
New legislation now means character references given in criminal cases can no longer be presented to a court without being capable of scrutiny. Instead, those giving references will be required to stand over their evidence under oath and, before a judge decides what weight should be attached to it.
Read More
The changes proposed by Sinn Féin were introduced following concerns raised by victims and families about the role untested character references could play during sentencing.
Karen Ryan, daughter of the late Mr Ryan, welcomed the changes after campaigning for reform following her father’s death.
“This reform marks an important step towards strengthening fairness, transparency and accountability within our justice system,” she said.
“Until now, character references in serious criminal cases could be submitted without being given under oath or tested through cross-examination. The new legislation will ensure greater scrutiny, accountability and transparency throughout the sentencing process.”
Ms Ryan said she hoped the changes would reassure victims and bereaved families greater about fairness in the criminal justice system.
“I hope this reform gives victims and their families greater confidence in the justice system and reassurance that sentencing hearings are conducted in a fairer and more transparent way,” she said.
She also thanked Sinn Féin for supporting the legislative changes.
“I would also like to sincerely thank (Cavan-Monaghan TD) Matt Carthy and his team for their support, commitment and determination in helping to bring this important reform forward. Their dedication has been instrumental in ensuring this significant change became law,” she said.
His partner of 17 years, from the Czech Republic, pleaded guilty to his manslaughter and was sentenced to two years and nine months’ imprisonment in 2025 and is due to be released this year.
In previous interviews with the , Ms Ryan said the family found the sentencing process deeply distressing and argued that the law surrounding character references lacked transparency.
She said they did not know the contents of the character reference submitted on behalf of Hertova and believed victims’ families should have confidence that evidence capable of influencing a sentence is properly scrutinised.
They had discovered after their father’s death that he had been in contact with Tusla and the gardaí as well as the courts about other episodes of domestic violence in relation to his partner, but had not progressed them.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
