Kathleen Funchion MEP raises the need for Valerie’s Law on the floor of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has raised the urgent need for the incoming government to implement Valerie’s Law and for an EU-wide strategy to deal with vicarious violence.

Speaking in Strasbourg, MEP Funchion said:

“I want to raise the issue of domestic violence and a law we should be enacting called Valerie’s Law.

“Currently an absolutely horrific loophole exists within the law in Ireland and other member states, which means that when a partner intentionally kills their partner, that person still retains guardianship rights of their shared children.

“It is difficult to believe that this is still the case, and that family and loved ones of those murdered, already going through the worst thing imaginable, have to deal with the added trauma of challenging this in the courts.

“I want to commend David French, from Cork, who has been campaigning vigorously to get this law changed.

“I want to call on the new Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, to change this in Ireland and enact Valerie’s law without delay.

“I also call on the European Parliament and the Justice Commissioner to ensure that Valerie’s Law is enacted throughout the member states.”