The heartbroken brother of Jennifer Poole has vowed to "keep fighting" for the introduction of a new domestic violence law in her name.
Jennie, 24, was a care worker and doting mum of two. She was stabbed to death at her apartment in Finglas in Dublin on April 12, 2021. Gavin Murphy, Jennie's ex-boyfriend, was convicted of her killing last year.
Jennie's brother Jason has previously called on the Government to introduce a Domestic Violence Register, or Jennifer's Law, which would make available information about anyone who has a conviction for domestic violence. He told Dublin Live this week that the domestic violence register "continues to face challenges" after concerns were raised over the legislation, and that they have had a meeting with Justice Minister Simon Harris.
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Jason said: "I had a chat with the Minister [Simon Harris] yesterday and he's informed me that so far it looks like everything is still on target to have this legislation enacted by Christmas. All going well it will be in Jennie's name, and he said that they are working hard and other organisations are releasing reports that would be very similar to what we're calling for as well.
"So hopefully those wrap-around supports we've been talking about will come underneath that as well. There are challenges that need to be ironed out, but no legislation is without its challenges and particularly when you're bringing something in because this will be a register that the public will have access to.
"It look's like we are progressing with it, as a family we are 100% behind this.
"We will fight and do our best and everything we can to make sure that this legislation is passed. We won't be stopping."
The week after Jennie's second anniversary at the end of April, Jason and their family and friends walked to the Stairway to Heaven in Co Antrim in Jennie's honour. They have raised an incredible €25,768.30 to help victims of domestic violence with the money to be distributed out to domestic violence charities in the coming weeks.
"We did it for Jennifer and to create awareness on Jennie's Law and to create awareness around speaking out for domestic violence and also trying to get some donations for the domestic violence charities operating here in Ireland.
"It was a good walk, it was a great day and there were nearly 140 people doing the walk. We've raised nearly €26,000, it's just been a memory that we'll have and if we get it in Jennifer's name and it will keep her name alive."
Jason said that they wore their t-shirts with photos of Jennie and played music throughout the walk on the Stairway to Heaven. "It was nice to see people from the community come together and do the walk, and the GAA club coming together.
"It was great to see people coming back together again in her memory."
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