Mid Ulster MLA welcomes assembly support for Caoimhé’s Law

SDLP Justice Spokesperson, Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone, has welcomed the unanimous support in the Assembly for the introduction of Caoimhé’s Law.

The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking after the Assembly unanimously supported the SDLP motion calling on the Minister of Justice to work with the Minister for Infrastructure to pass Caoimhé’s Law by the end of this mandate.

Caoimhé O’Brien was a young woman who died in a road-traffic collision on the A5 between Derry and Strabane in October, 2016. News of her death was broadcast on social media, before some of her relatives could even be informed of the tragedy. Caoimhé’s Law is named in her honour, and in recognition of the additional trauma caused to her family by the online content about the accident and her death.

Mr McGlone said: “I welcome the Assembly’s unanimous support for the introduction of Caoimhé’s Law.

“The cross-party support for legislation is a result of growing public concern at the increasing trend of the distribution online of distressing footage of the scenes of road traffic collisions - with no thought for the families affected.

“Today the Assembly has said loudly and clearly - It is not your story to tell.

“I wish to pay tribute to, and thank, Caoimhé’s mother, Marie, and the members of Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal, for their tireless campaign on this issue.

“Caoimhé’s Law would make it a criminal offence to record or share images or videos of victims at the scene of road traffic collisions.

“We now look forward to the Executive acting on the clear will of the Assembly.”