‘Valerie’s Law' will strip murderers of guardianship rights to their children
At Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will ask the Government to approve the text of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2026. Mourners at the funeral service in 2019 for the late Valerie French-Kilroy at the Cathedral Church of Saint Fachtna in Rosscarbery, Co Cork. File picture: Dan LinehanIt will remove guardianship rights from those convicted of the murder or manslaughter of their partners, or the other parent of their child.Tusla, The Child and Family Agency, must apply to the District Court within six months of the conviction in order for them to be stripped of their rights.An order can either restrict the convicted person’s powers and duties — or remove them as a guardian.It will take effect once an alternative arrangement is in place, such as a care order, or the child having another guardian.The new law will also apply retrospectively to cases that occurred before this law was introduced.Mr O’Callaghan said that Valerie’s Law has been a priority for him since becoming justice minister.The new law will be named in honour of Valerie French, who was murdered by her husband, James Kilroy, in 2019. File picture“Our laws must reflect the gravity of these offences,” he said “This is about the welfare and protection of children... This legislation, to be known as Valerie’s Law in honour of Valerie French, upholds a fundamental principle that those convicted of the most serious crimes should not retain automatic legal authority over the children they have left behind.”
Louise Burne, Political Correspondent
