Jade’s Law equivalent to be introduced ‘as soon as next year’ hears vigil
‘Everyone we remember here today, once had dreams, once had laughter and love but their voices were silenced too soon’ - Edwin Duggan
A vigil has taken place in Derry calling for the introduction of the Jade’s Law equivalent in the North.
Such legislation would see the suspension of parental responsibility for parents who kill their co-parent.
Jade’s Law was initiated by Karen Robinson and Paul Ward, the parents of Jade Ward, and Mr Duggan, following Jade’s murder by her ex-partner in 2021.
It was officially introduced to the Victims and Prisoners Bill by British Justice Secretary Alex Chalk in October 2023 and has effect in England and Wales but not the North.
Remembering all the women in the North murdered as a result of domestic violence since 2020.
Opening the speeches at the vigil, which took place in Guildhall Square on Friday afternoon, Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris said everyone present gathered “with a shared purpose, to end violence against women and girls”.
“Northern Ireland remains the most dangerous place in these islands for women to live, a reality we cannot ignore and must work together to change,” she added.
“This is not an issue for one sector or one moment. It must be part of our everyday lives, our conversations and mostly, our actions.
“I want to acknowledge the relatives of Amy Doherty who are with us today. Amy’s loss has deeply affected this community.
“While this remains a live case, and we speak with care, we also stand firmly with her family in their call for Jade’s Law equivalent here in Northern Ireland.
“Since its launch in April 2026, this campaign, driven by the dedication of Edwin Duggan, has highlighted how far behind Northern Ireland is now. England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have all moved forward with protections based on the framework Edwin developed. We cannot allow Northern Ireland to remain the only place without equivalent safeguards,” said Ald McMorris.
‘Northern Ireland remains the most dangerous place in these islands for women to live’
“The public clearly agrees,” she added, “as the petition launched just days ago has already reached over 12,000 signatures, surpassing, in proportion, the entire UK-wide campaign of 2022.”
Amy Doherty’s Aunt Angela told the vigil her family never imagined that one day we’d stand before people to speak about “murder, grief and the life-long pain that follows the loss of someone we loved”.
“Like so many other families, our lives were changed forever by violence. The person they lost was more than a headline. They were a parent, a daughter, a friend, someone deeply loved,” she said.
“When a family loses someone to murder, the pain does not end after the funeral. It continues every day.
“Jade’s Law sends a clear message that anyone responsible for the murder of a child’s parent should not benefit from parental rights, as if nothing happened.
“Children should never have to live with fear and confusion about the rights of someone who has taken away one of their parents.
“Jade’s Law helps provide safeguards for vulnerable children, gives families some peace of mind, when it feels like everything is completely shattered. This law acknowledges the voices of victims’ families. It is about making sure children’s welfare always comes first,” she said.
Human Rights advocate Edwin Duggan used his speech at the vigil to officially announce that a Jade’s Law equivalent would be “introduced in Northern Ireland legislation as soon as next year”.
“There is cross-party support and I must say to you all here today that the suggestions are that it will surpass the existing legislation in England and Wales,” added Mr Duggan, who read aloud the names of the 30 women killed in the North since 2020.
“Everyone we remember here today, once had dreams, once had laughter and love but their voices were silenced too soon,” he continued.
“Today, through us they speak again. They speak through me and they speak through you, through our words, our actions and our courage, they live on. We are now their voice and their story continues through everyone of us.
“The creation of a Jade’s Law equivalent is a milestone but it is not the destination. It is the first step in a long road towards justice, compassion and protection for every child and family.
“Our work does not end here. It begins anew today. So let us carry this message beyond these walls of Derry. Let it echo in the classrooms, in homes, in Parliament, and in hearts.
“Let it rise above indifference and be heard in every corner of our nation. A cry that says, ‘Enough is enough’. We will be the instruments of change, the guardians of hope and the voice for those who cannot speak. Together we can make a difference,” concluded Mr Duggan.
‘Jade’s Law equivalent would be “introduced in Northern Ireland legislation as soon as next year’
David French spoke about his sister Valerie French, who was murdered by her husband in 2019 in County Mayo, and Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, who were murdered by her husband.
“[Clodagh’s] sister, Jacqueline Connolly, went to the government of the time. They started a report into this whole area. In 2023, that report came out and it recommended suspending or looking at the guardianship of people who have committed this sort of crime and destroyed the family,” said Mr French.
“And the interest of that recommendation was to protect the children. It is not about punishment of the perpetrator, it’s about protecting the children that still exist.
“The recommendation in the 2023 report, we went forward with that. It’s called Valerie’s Law in the Republic. I was in the Dáil last Thursday and Valerie’s Law was voted through to go to the second stage, which is the select committee.
“There is a hope we would have it gone through the Dáil, gone through the Seanad and signed by the President at the end of this year and hopefully implemented.
“So, effectively, it is between England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic which can do this first, to protect children from perpetrators,” said Mr French.
Holly Reed, the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls project of Foyle Women’s Information Network also addressed the vigil.
The vigil concluded with the playing of Amy Doherty’s favourite song - Something In The Orange by Zach Bryan.