Calls For A Domestic Violence Register Like Sex Offenders

Irish women should be made aware if their partner has a history of domestic violence.

That's the view of Fianna Fail TD Jim O'Callaghan who says that recent high profile murder trials, including those of Nadine Lott and Jennifer Poole, show the need for a 'Domestic Violence Register'.

34-year-old Daniel Murtagh was given a life sentence last year for the murder of Nadine Lott in 2019, in an act which was described by the victim's mother as "monstrous, evil and the devil’s work".

Nadine Lott

While, last week 30-year-old Gavin Murphy of Coultry Drive, Ballymun, who was described by a judge as having a "violent disposition towards women" was given a life sentence for murdering his girlfriend.

24-year-old mother-of-two Jennifer Poole who was murdered at her home in Finglas. Image: An Garda Síochána

On April 17th last year he stabbed Jennifer Poole seven times in her home while her young son was in her car outside.

At his sentencing hearing today, the judge was told that Murphy has a previous conviction for a serious assault on a former partner.

Deputy O'Callaghan says personal information would be closely guarded and it would work in a similar way to the Sex Offenders Register.

"On conviction of domestic violence information about the individual convicted would be provided to the Gardaí. The Gardaí would have that information and wouldn't be publicly available.

But the Gardaí could make a decision that they could disclose it to individuals which they think would be appropriate."