Petition

https://www.change.org/p/remove-child-guardianship-rights-from-killers

Killing the mother of a child is child abuse. Society should protect children from their abusers.

My sister Valerie French-Kilroy was murdered by her husband james kilroy on June 13th/14th, 2019 at their home in Kilbree, Co. Mayo, Ireland. On Friday July 26th, 2024 he was convicted of her murder and is now serving a life sentence.

Despite his murder conviction, the killer retains his guardianship rights over their children. This means the murderer has a right to know where they live, how they are progressing in school and to be involved in major decisions affecting their lives.

This is a loophole in child safety in Ireland. Children exist in their own right and are not stepping stones in the rehabilitation of others. Their safety, privacy, rights and opinions have to be taken into account. 

In May 2024 the United Kingdom enacted “Jade’s Law” so that a person who is convicted in the criminal courts of killing their partner, or ex partner, will lose their parental responsibility for their children from that relationship.

The law in Ireland also needs to change so that when someone is convicted of a killing there would be an automatic removal of guardianship of any children shared with the victim.

Chapter 7 subsection 3.18.4 of a 2023 Irish government report entitled: “Study on Familicide and Violent Family Death Review” already includes this recommendation:
“that the Child and Family Relationships Act 2015, or other relevant legislation (must) be amended to ensure that a parent who is convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent does not retain guardianship of the surviving child or children.” .

We need legislation to protect children from killers by placing this recommendation into law as soon as possible.

#valerieslaw