Open Letter
January 2025. An open letter to the Taoiseach calling for Valerie’s Law to be enacted by the Government, in order to remove child guardianship from parents convicted of manslaughter or murder of the other parent.
Dear Taoiseach,
We are families whose loved daughters, sisters, aunties and mothers were killed by domestic abusers (who were current or former partners).
We know from experience that the impact of domestic homicide on bereaved families is lifelong, a grief and pain that can never be taken away.
The impact on children who have their mothers or fathers taken from them by killers is unimaginable.
Yet even after the death, the ability of the killer to inflict pain isn’t stopped. Unbelievably, if a father kills a mother, parental responsibility stays with that killer.
That means that after ending the mother’s life and destroying their children’s lives, these killers still have power over their children.
It means they can be involved in decisions affecting their young lives, including medical treatment or travel and their privacy.
These killers can use this power to continue the controlling and abusive behaviour they inflicted upon the woman they killed.
Some abusive fathers have tried to block maternal family members from gaining custody of the children they love, the kids left to languish in the care system instead.
Some of our families weren’t able to see their loved nieces, nephews or grandchildren for months on end and endured custody battles sometimes lasting years.
Many face a cruel separation that has a devastating impact on both bereaved children and the murdered mother’s family alike.
The impact of the system on deeply traumatised children and their bereaved families is scandalous.
Killing a mother or father is child abuse.
Valerie’s Law is the opportunity to make a change and make Ireland a better place.
Valerie’s Law is a specific recommendation from an existing Government report from 2023. (Study on Familicide & Domestic and Family Violence Death Reviews - Section 7.3.18.4).
7.3.18.4 It is therefore recommended that the Child and Family Relationships Act 2015, or other relevant legislation, must be amended to ensure that a parent convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent does not retain guardianship of the surviving child or children.
We urge the Government to use this moment to ease the suffering of families like ours.
Yours,
David French, brother of Valerie French murdered by her husband in 2019
Chris Cawley, brother of Celine Cawley killed by her husband in 2008
Paul Callaly, brother of Rachel O'Reilly murdered by her husband in 2004
Jason Poole, brother of Jennifer Poole, murdered by her ex-partner in 2021
Jenna McMonagle, sister of Jasmine McMonagle killed by her partner in 2019
Ann Dunlea, mother of Olivia Dunlea murdered by her partner in 2013