NWCI responds to announcement of Domestic Homicide Reviews

Published: Sunday, February 10, 2019

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today called on Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan to clarify where the findings of the ten year domestic homicide review promised for February 2017 is. This is following reports today that murders that take place in a domestic setting are to be reviewed individually by specialist gardaí.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“In 2016 both the National Women's Council of Ireland and Women's Aid called for a review of domestic homicides, and the then Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and the Garda Commissioner promised that a review would be published in February 2017. NWCI has very serious concerns about the length of time which was elapsed since the review was announced, and we very urgently need the findings of this review to be published.”

“In other jurisdictions, Domestic Homicide Reviews are systematic multi-agency reviews which are used to improve risk assessment and management and to identify gaps in policy and practice, following such crimes. Ireland must ensure a comprehensive review of domestic homicides in Ireland, so that we can develop a best practice response in relation to domestic violence including risk assessment and risk management. Lessons must be learnt to ensure we protect victims of domestic violence and ultimately work towards the eradication of these crimes against women.”

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