Latest news with #GavinMurphy
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Domestic violence disclosure scheme could expose victims to ‘unacceptable' risk, department finds
A new domestic violence disclosure scheme could expose women and girls to an 'unacceptable' risk of further abuse, according to an internal Department of Justice analysis. Officials found that abusers would have to be 'informed in advance' that information about them was being shared under their constitutional right to privacy and fair procedures, a legal obligation that could not be 'sidestepped'. This prompted fears that offering such an alert to perpetrators could 'trigger' abuse and violence. The documents, which were released under Freedom of Information, were compiled by officials in the department in 2023 when the proposal for Jennie's Law was first being considered. READ MORE The campaign for Jennie's Law is named after Jennifer Poole, a 24-year-old mother of two who was murdered by her former partner Gavin Murphy in 2021. Ms Poole did not know that Murphy had a history of abusive behaviour, including a conviction for assaulting a former partner. Her family, who have led a campaign for a domestic violence register in her honour, maintain that had she known about Murphy's history she might still be alive. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has committed to setting up such a domestic violence register, which will be named Jennie's Law. The proposal was first considered by officials following a number of meetings between previous ministers for justice Simon Harris and Helen McEntee and Jason Poole, Ms Poole's brother. In February 2023, Mr Harris met Mr Poole and committed to progressing plans for a domestic violence disclosure scheme. Officials advised Ms McEntee, who met Mr Poole during her tenure as minister for justice, to say she had had 'the benefit of analysis done by officials in my department and other colleagues, including An Garda Síochána ' on the proposal to bring forward Jennie's Law. A briefing note prepared for Ms McEntee ahead of a meeting with Mr Poole in July 2023 raised 'significant legal and constitutional issues' with plans to disclose information about offenders to the public. It warned that offenders had a constitutional right to privacy. 'It follows that an ex-offender would need to be informed in advance about any proposal to disclose information about him or her under a domestic violence disclosure scheme. Failure to do so would infringe his or her legal and constitutional rights,' the briefing note said. 'Legally, the obligation to inform an ex-offender about a proposed disclosure cannot be sidestepped. However, notice of an intention to disclose information could trigger or increase violence in abusive relationships. As such, legislating for a domestic violence disclosure scheme could create an unacceptable risk to the women and girls the scheme intends to protect.' Another briefing note prepared for Ms McEntee ahead of a meeting with Mr Poole in December 2023 said that her department 'cannot develop proposals for legislation that is unconstitutional and potentially dangerous'. Instead of a public disclosure scheme, the 2025 programme for government instead committed to giving An Garda Síochána the power to inform vulnerable people of a partner's history of domestic violence. But Mr O'Callaghan has since gone further and said he was still committed to setting up a public domestic violence register. The Department of Justice did not comment.
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Christy Moore releases spoken word tribute track for President Michael D Higgins
Irish music legend Christy Moore has released a spoken word tribute to President Michael D Higgins. Music to Our Ears, written by poet Johnny Broderick and produced by Gavin Murphy, is a celebration of the life and legacy of Ireland's President in the last year of his tenure. Speaking of how the work came about, Moore said: "I was working in Gavin Murphy's Studio. Gavin shared music he was composing for a poem John Broderick had written in advance of President Michael D's departure from Áras and Úachtaráin. I read the poem and listened to the music. I offered to recite the words. Claddagh [Records] heard it and suggested we make it available to the public. "I think it is a beautiful tribute to our esteemed President and his Family. I think Johnny B's words express what many of us feel about Michael D. and our First Lady, Sabina." President Higgins was elected President of Ireland in 2011 and is currently serving his second term. Moore has released Music to Our Ears alongside a lyric video to accompany the powerful tribute. It opens with the lines: "There is an aura that surrounds you, with decency you are blessed. There is a warmth in your presence, for every welcome guest." It continues: "You are a voice for the voiceless, like thunder in the plain. An empathetic ear for the afflicted, selfless, humble, but never vain." Music to Our Ears concludes: "Statesmanlike and diplomatic, charismatic without fears. You are a national treasure treasured, you have been music to our ears." The track will feature on the extended edition of Moore's No.1 album A Terrible Beauty.
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Luxury Edinburgh watch boutique opens at St James Quarter with pool table and bar
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A luxury Swiss watchmaker has opened within Edinburgh's St James Quarter with a pool table and stocked bar. The new additions to Breitling, which has seen the unit more the double in size, have been put in place to offer a "enhanced client experience" and the "perfect environment" to discover its wears. The expanded boutique within the huge shopping, dining and leisure centre, recently reopened following a refurbishment and in partnership with Watches of Switzerland Group. The unique store features an industrial loft design, exposed brickwork and steel accents. It also includes a pool table and fully stocked bar for customers to discover the full collection. Gavin Murphy, Breitling's Managing Director, commented: "The expansion of the Edinburgh boutique marks an important step for Breitling in Scotland, a city that has long been significant to the brand. (Image: Breitling) "The new boutique has doubled in size, allowing us to bring more theatre. With the Breitling pool table and a bar that truly embodies the spirit of Breitling, creating a social, informal and inclusive experience to our clients" Customers can find the brand's full collection in-store, from UK exclusives and limited editions to iconic timepieces such as the Navitimer, Chronomat, Superocean, and Premier. Craig Bolton, President of the Watches of Switzerland Group UK & Europe, added: "The Watches of Switzerland Group has a rich history of long-standing, prestigious brand partnerships, and we are delighted to be partnering with Breitling in opening the expanded boutique in St. James Quarter – the leading premium retail destination in Scotland."
