Study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews

In May 2019, Ms. Norah Gibbons was appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality to lead a Study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews. Ms. Gibbons was supported by a small team of relevant experts and researchers and she convened an expert Advisory Group.

The study team commenced consultation with a wide range of stakeholders in the third and fourth quarter of 2019, to include family members of victims and some State agencies, and non-governmental organisations.

Sadly, Ms. Gibbons became terminally ill and passed away on 08 April 2020. At that time due to the illness of one expert, and altered career commitments of two others, a member of the Advisory Group, Maura Butler, Solicitor, was asked by Ms. Gibbons to step in to support her shortly before she passed away.

After a transition period during Government formation and the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Butler was confirmed as Study Lead in June 2020. Phase Two of the Study became operational again in August 2020 with the addition of two new researchers. The Advisory Group membership was augmented, and the new study team commenced consultation with a wide range of State agencies, non-governmental organisations, and subject experts.

After the research phase of the study the writing of the draft manuscript was largely accomplished towards the end of March 2021.

The study had a fair procedures process, which involved allowing any persons or organisations who might be affected by the contents of the draft report (including the families) to be given an opportunity to reply. Invariably, this part of the process was time-consuming, since it involved engaging with multiple parties. However, it was an essential part of the process and had to be completed before the report could be finalised. That process was completed in January 2022. The final report was presented to the Minister for Justice for consideration in July 2022.

Last updated on 15th July 2022.

 

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Please note that any records provided to or created by the study team for the purposes of compiling the report will be destroyed 6 months after the delivery of the report.