- Grainne McMorrow S.C and Dr Jane Monckton Smith joining Norah Gibbons to conduct research study on familicide and domestic homicide reviews
- Minister urges interested parties to engage with the independent specialist in-depth study
- Submissions from interested parties can be made to info@fsdhr.ie by 31 July 2019
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has announced the names of the two experts who will join Norah Gibbons to carry out the independent research study on familicide and domestic homicide reviews. Practising Senior Counsel, Ms Grainne McMorrow and the internationally recognised Forensic Criminologist, Dr Jane Monckton Smith will closely support Ms. Gibbons in her role as the study’s lead.
Making the announcement, Minister Flanagan said:
I am pleased that this very important and sensitive study is up and running and that Senior Counsel Grainne McMorrow and internationally renowned forensic criminologist Dr Jane Monckton Smith will join and support Norah Gibbons who is leading out on this work. I sincerely thank them for engaging with this project. Their engagement means that collectively this study team brings vast experience, a wide range of specialist expertise and an extensive portfolio of work of direct relevance to this study.
The Minister also urged those who have lost loved ones to domestic homicide and familicide, as well as those who have worked in supporting their families and friends to input into the independent research study on familicide and domestic homicide reviews:
I am very keen to promote a greater awareness of this study and what it is setting out to do and I encourage all interested parties to make a submission.
The Minister said:
From hearing directly from families who have had to cope with the utterly horrendous experience of familicide or domestic homicide, it is my deepest wish that this study will set out a framework as to how the State can collectively better support people at a time of unimaginable loss. This is the reason why I have set up this study with the support of the Government.
The Minister added
Experts and people with a track record of collaborative working will examine how we better support people who are affected by these horrific crimes. I have asked the study team to prepare an independent report to advise us how this can be best addressed. For the study to be fully effective I would strongly urge all interested parties who can inform the study’s work to now make contact with it. Their dealings with the study will be supported in a hugely compassionate and a totally confidential manner.
The study will involve consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including State agencies, family members of victims and non-governmental organisations.
It is focused on two pillars:
i. the provision of supports to families who are victims of familicide; and
ii. international best practice in the conduct of Domestic Homicide Reviews.
The terms of reference for the study are available at www.fsdhr.ie and are copied beneath for ease of reference.
The study is currently inviting submissions and all interested parties are requested to make submissions in writing, preferably by e-mail to info@fsdhr.ie to arrive no later than 3pm on Wednesday 31 July 2019.
Interested parties may wish separately, or in addition, seek to meet with members of the study team. People who wish to meet with the study team are asked to e-mail info@fsdhr.ie or telephone 00-353-1 8982051 between 10am-12.30pm or 2pm-4pm on Monday to Thursday.