THE brother of a woman murdered by her husband almost seven years ago has said he is ‘hopeful’ that a law in his sister’s memory will be published this year.
David French contacted this newspaper following our recent report that people in Donegal are among more than 11,000 people to have signed a petition calling for ‘Jade’s Law’ in the UK to be implemented.
The petition was commenced in the wake of the murder of Derry mother-of-two Amy Doherty (28).
Connor McNamee, a welder from Meehan’s Terrace in Derry, is charged with her murder, with the offence said to be aggravated by domestic abuse.
‘Jade’s Law’, aimed at stripping someone who kills an ex-partner of parental rights over their children, has still not been implemented – more than 21 months after being passed in the UK Parliament.
Mr French’s sister, Valerie French Kilroy (41) was found dead at her home in Mayo on June 14, 2019. She was murdered by her husband James Kilroy.
A mother to three very young sons, Valerie, who worked as an occupational therapist, has been described as “loving and caring in nature in both her personal and professional life”.
On July 26, 2024 James Kilroy was found guilty of the murder of Valerie French Kilroy. He received a mandatory life sentence.
However, Kilroy continues to be a legal guardian of Valerie’s three sons.
‘Valerie’s Law’ is the name given to the proposed legislation to remove child guardianship rights from parents who are convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent.
A spokesperson for Minister for Children Norma Foley said she “supports the legislation known as Valerie’s Law” proposed by her colleague, Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.
The Bill is at an “advanced stage” of formal drafting, which is being carried out by the Department of Justice and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
A spokesman for the department said it is “satisfied that the Bill is constitutional in all respects”.
A petition to ‘Remove Child Guardianship Rights from Killers’ is available to sign via: https:www.change.orgpremove-child-guardianship-rights-from-killers