Ireland's Dáil Passes Jennie's Law Domestic Violence Register

The Dáil approved the Domestic Violence (Judgements) Register Bill 2026, known as Jennie's Law, on July 15, 2026. The legislation establishes Ireland's first public online register of domestic violence convictions, which will be hosted on the Irish Courts Service website. The register will list individuals convicted of serious offenses, including rape, sexual assault, coercive control, and non-fatal strangulation, provided the survivors consent and a trial judge exercises discretion.

The law is named after Jennifer Poole, a 24-year-old healthcare worker murdered by her former partner in 2021. Ms. Poole had been unaware of her partner's previous conviction for assaulting a former partner. The legislation follows years of advocacy by the Poole family and arrives as Women’s Aid Ireland reports that eight women have been killed violently in 2026 so far.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan defended the legislation, including a provision allowing individuals to apply for removal from the register three years after their prison release. Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy criticized this timeframe as too short, suggesting five years would be more reasonable. Along with Jennie's Law, the Dáil passed Valerie's Law, which allows for the restriction or removal of guardianship rights from a parent convicted of killing the other parent. Both bills now proceed to President Catherine Connolly for signature.