Major announcement imminent at Derry ‘Jade’s Law’ vigil
Campaign for legislation suspending parental responsibility for parents who kill their co-parent
Human Rights advocate Edwin Duggan has signalled an major announcement is imminent regarding the introduction of Jade’s Law in the North.
In April, Mr Duggan launched the campaign here for legislation suspending parental responsibility for parents who kill their co-parent - Jade’s Law.
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, Russell Marsh, 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.
Mr Duggan is speaking at a vigil at 4.00pm today (May 29, 2026) in Derry’s Guildhall Square, organised by Jade’s Law in Northern Ireland.
In advance of the vigil, Mr Duggan said: “Following weeks of campaigning, public engagement, political discussions, and growing support from communities across Northern Ireland, significant progress has now been made towards securing legislative change within the province.”
During today’s speech, Mr Duggan is expected to confirm that the Stormont Assembly has given cross-party acknowledgement to the campaign and its objectives, with Stormont committing to the development of legislation that would place a Jade’s Law Equivalent into Northern Ireland’s devolved legislative framework.
The proposed framework is also expected to go even further than the legislation currently progressing through England and Wales.
Plans under discussion include provisions that would automatically suspend parental responsibility for individuals convicted of the attempted murder of a spouse or partner — expanding protections for children and families affected by serious domestic violence.
“If enacted, these measures would bring approximately two million additional people under the umbrella of Jade’s Law, or its Northern Ireland equivalent, representing a major step forward in safeguarding vulnerable families and ensuring greater consistency across these islands,” said Mr Duggan, who added he was “humbled and honoured that such a commitment has been achieved within a matter of weeks, particularly as one minister within the Assembly reportedly described the development as ‘something rare to see in the corridors of Stormont’ - namely, unity across the political spectrum in support of the campaign’s objectives.”
Today’s gathering will also serve as a moment of remembrance, reflection, and solidarity, honouring the 65 victims of domestic homicide lost across the island of Ireland over the past five years.
Supporters, members of the public, and campaign advocates are expected to attend the event at Guildhall Square this afternoon as momentum behind the campaign continues to grow.