In April 2021, Jennifer Poole’s life was tragically and violently taken from her by a man she once trusted, someone whose long history of violence remained hidden from her, and from a system that should have protected her.
This tragedy compelled her brother, Jason Poole, to stand up, not only for Jennifer, but also for every woman in Ireland who lives in fear behind closed doors. Her death triggered the launch of a national campaign for “Jennie’s Law”, which represents a powerful call for systemic and fundamental change to Ireland’s approach to domestic violence.
Jennifer Poole was far more than just a victim. She was a vibrant, kind-hearted woman whose life was cherished by those fortunate enough to have known her. She was, first and foremost, a loving mother to her two children, Nevaeh and Zach, for whom she would have done anything. She was also a beloved sister to Claire, Jason and David. As a healthcare worker at Beneavin Lodge Care Home, Jennifer extended her kindness and compassion to others daily, touching the lives of both patients and colleagues.
Beyond her family, Jennifer found a loving community at Erins Isle Sports Club, where her camogie teammates became a second family. Her warmth, kindness and infectious smile left a lasting impression on everyone around her. Her future was full of promise and potential.
However, this idyllic image concealed a dark reality. Behind the closed doors of her home,which is supposed to be her safe space, Jennifer faced a hidden horror that ultimately led to the tragedy of her death. Her promise and potential were stolen in a single, horrific act of unimaginable violence. In April 2021, her life was violently and brutally taken by someone she once believed she could trust, her former partner, Gavin Murphy.
It was only after her death that the shocking reality of Gavin’s violent past came to light. Jennifer’s family discovered that he had thirteen prior convictions, including one for domestic violence, for which he had served time in prison. Shockingly, this dark past was deliberately concealed from Jennifer by Gavin and his family– a past that, if known, could have saved her life.
The loss of Jennifer left her family, friends and the wider community around her shattered. It exposed the harsh reality of domestic abuse in Ireland and highlighted the wide gaps present within the Irish Legal system, particularly in its ability to protect the most vulnerable individuals in society. It underlines the urgent need for a mechanism that allows individuals to access critical information and protection from potential abusers. The proposed “Jennie’s Law” is at the heart of Jason Poole’s campaign. It seeks to bridge the large gaps in the Irish Legal system through the establishment of a domestic violence register in Ireland, similar to the United Kingdom’s “Clare’s Law”. This initiative would introduce both a “right to ask” and a “right to tell” framework, which would enable individuals to seek and discover information about a partner’s history of domestic violence. This initiative aims to prevent victims from unknowingly entering abusive relationships–like Jennifer did.
In a recent podcast interview, Jason shared heartfelt memories of Jennifer and the person she was, emphasizing her loving and caring nature. His recollections also shed light on the harsh realities of domestic violence. He recalls the controlling behavior of Jennie’s ex-partner, mentioning how her house key mysteriously went missing and how her visits to her family slowly diminished. These signs, now understood as signals of coercive control, went unnoticed by her family at the time. Her autonomy and freedom were slowly stripped way behind closed doors.
From the day of Jennifer’s passing, Jason Poole has become a tireless advocate for all victims of domestic violence. He has launched a national campaign calling for the immediate implementation of a domestic violence register and a series of reforms regarding Ireland’s domestic violence laws. His plea for action is supported by staggering statistics: in 2024 alone , 65000 domestic violence abuse cases were reported to An Garda Síochána, including more than 1600 during Christmas week alone. This emphasises the need for immediate action and systemic change.
Jennie’s Law aims to address these institutional gaps and ensure that victims have access to vital information that could save their lives. Under Clare’s Law in the UK, individuals can request information from the police about a current or former partner. This is a framework that Ireland urgently needs to adopt.
Equally essential is the need to provide enhanced resources and training for An Garda Síochána. Jason has consistently emphasized that Irish Law enforcement is under-resourced and underfunded. While these barriers persist , he stresses that the consequences of under capacity are immeasurable. He emphasizes the importance of consistent follow-up and protection services, and stresses that, “women should not have to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives after making a statement”.
Education is another strong pillar of Jason’s campaign. He believes it is pertinent to educate young people on the nature of healthy relationships and deconstruct societal narratives around domestic abuse. One core misconception is encapsulated in the common question, “why don’t you just leave?”, a question that fails to recognize the complex emotional, physical and financial complexities of abusive relationships that victims frequently face. Jason seeks to alter this narrative, emphasising that the burden to leave should never rest solely on the victim.
Jennifer Poole’s story is a heartbreaking but powerful reminder of the urgent need for meaningful change. Women deserve to feel safe in their own homes, in their relationships, and within their communities. Jennie’s Law represents a critical opportunity to confront and address systemic failures in how domestic violence is addressed and prevented in Ireland.
By implementing these initiatives, spearheaded by a domestic violence register, this legislation has the potential to empower individuals, save lives, and hold perpetrators accountable. The implementation of Jennie’s Law would provide a stronger, more transparent legal framework which would equip vulnerable individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to obtain protection services.
Jason Poole continues to advocate not only for Jennifer but on behalf of every woman in Ireland who faces abuse behind closed doors. His mission is strong and distinct, that no women should ever have to go through what Jennifer endured and that no family should ever have to bear the immeasurable grief that his family carries. While the perpetrators may be released one day, for victims’ families, the life sentences of loss are unending. Through Jennie’s law, Jason is determined to breach the circle of violence and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost to silence, inaction and institutional failure in Ireland.
