*Cllr David Griffin (FF) brought the matter before the Council.
CLARE COUNCILLORS are seeking the introduction of a domestic violence register.
Across Co Clare, the number of incidents a domestic abuse motive almost trebled in five years from 480 in 2018 to 1,073 at the end of 2023.
In a proposal before the July sitting of Clare County Council, Cllr David Griffin (FF) cited “the ongoing epidemic of domestic and gender-based violence in this country” when he appealed for the Government to “progress Jennie’s Law and to implement a Domestic Violence Register similar to that in the UK”.
He said violence against women “is an epidemic not just in Ireland but across the world”. Cllr Griffin noted Gardaí responded to 65,000 domestic violent incidents last year.
During his past role as a parliamentary assistant to former Senator, Fiona O’Loughlin (FF), Cllr Griffin worked alongside the family of Jennifer Poole, she was 24 when she was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy at her home in Finglas, west Dublin on April 17, 2021. The mother of two was beaten and stabbed to death – her killer is now serving a life sentence for her murder. Murphy had a history of abusive behaviour towards a former partner when he met Ms Poole and had been convicted of assaulting her.
Jennifer’s family have set up a petition calling for an “open and transparent” domestic violence register, claiming had there been one in place, their sister may not have died. The Poole family has launched a campaign to try and legislate for a domestic violence register under “Jennie’s Law”. The register would contain the details of anyone here who has a conviction for domestic violence.
Referring to the case, Cllr Griffin said “the hardest part to accept is Gavin Murphy had a history of violence. The family had raised concerns with Gardaí, had the known the violent history and the history of domestic abuse, the actions of the family, of Jennifer and of Gardaí would have been different but nobody was award”. He said there was no reason why a domestic violence register could not be created in Ireland if it works in the United Kingdom.
Nationally the number of domestic abuse incidents “has more than doubled,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) stated. “Since COVID it is frightening, it is going through the roof, Women’s Aid said more than one in four women is subject to abuse from their partner, there’s seven women here in this room, think about that, it is a frightening stat”.
Members of the public and the Gardaí need to be aware of violent histories, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) maintained. “We had a situation on the Clonroad where a young woman was walking at 11am, she was pushed against the wall, it has been reported and dealt with, if we don’t track it we’re not aware”.
Domestic violence is “a huge problem,” Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) commented. “It has increased and become a lot more severe since COVID. If someone is not convicted and is not on the register, further supports are needed for sheltered housing, support groups and those who provide support for people, we do need an advertising campaign”.
“It is very important that when an issue comes up like this that we speak up loudly,” insisted Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). “Since COVID it has been raised by influencers on social media and in the media, they are glorified on certain forums, I’ve three sons myself, I’d be concerned about the influences out there in the world beyond the control of parents and families. There needs to be a massive push back against this. It is a broader discussion on the influencers shaping our world, this is part of it, we need to push back and not accept that this is the way it is”.
People need to be protected inside their own homes, Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) stressed. “Domestic violence occurs behind closed doors in the place you are supposed to be the most safe in your own home”. She added, “When we’re pulled over on the side of the roads, we can know in two minutes if we’ve penalty points, insurance or tax but Gardaí don’t know if a person is guilty of domestic abuse”. She said, “When you are your most vulnerable, you’re at your weakest for someone who can coercively control you and when you are your weakest. We need to look at this, we need to be protected in your own home”.
Examples from other jurisdictions can be studied, said Cllr Rita McInerney (FF). “We can effectively leapfrog and define the law to make sure it is fit for purpose”. She added, “there are different avenues and forums in our own society, within our schools, that education on relationships and control and how people are engaging is hugely important”.
Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan (FF) has the will to introduce systematic changes, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) believed. “Strong systematic changes would help deal with what we know has happen, people have died here, predominantly women, if they had been forewarned they may not be deceased. Domestic violence thrives on secrecy and violence, abusers move”.
Discussing the issue is very important, Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF) stressed. “As a 23 year old woman to speak to the social media aspect, it is a scary time to be growing up as a woman with the likes of Andrew Tate, I know it from speaking to my brother’s peers, violence against women becomes normalised and we’re seeing that more and more, what we’re seeing in pornography is concerning, it is normalising this in the minds of young men. Abusers follow patterns, those early warning signs are important to notice and take notice of”. She added, “it doesn’t happen overnight, they follow patterns and they usually bring them into their relationships”.
Key signs to coercive behaviour can be spotted and public representatives can be tuned into this, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said. Connectivty with phones makes it “a scary time to bring up children,” remarked Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) who admitted, “I don’t know how you manage social media”. Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) stated, “I’ve two daughters, if they had somewhere to go if they had concerns about someone, I would welcome this”.
