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NWCI backs calls by family of Clodagh Hawe for multi-agency review into her death

Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today backed calls by the family of Clodagh Hawe for a multi-agency review into her death and the death of her sons. Alongside this, NWCI called on Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan and the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to complete and publish the findings of the ten year domestic homicide review, promised to NWCI and Women’s Aid after the death of Clodagh Hawe.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“In 2016 both the National Women's Council of Ireland and Women's Aid called for a review of domestic homicides, and the then Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and then Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan promised that a review would be published. NWCI has very serious concerns about the length of time which was elapsed since the review was announced, and we very urgently need the findings of this review to be published.”

“The interviews with Jacqueline Connolly and Mary Coll, the sister and mother of Clodagh Hawe last night on RTE, underlined the importance of multi agency domestic homicide reviews for the family, in their search for answers, and to work towards the eventual eradication of these crimes. In other jurisdictions, Domestic Homicide Reviews are systematic multi-agency reviews which are used to improve risk assessment and management and to identify gaps in policy and practice, following such crimes.”

“Ireland must initiate the practice of multi-agency reviews of domestic homicides in Ireland every time such a crime occurs. These reviews can provide families with answers but vitally for the protection of women in the future they would assist in developing best practice responses in relation to domestic violence including risk assessment and risk management. Lessons must be learnt to ensure we can best protect victims of domestic violence.”

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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, 085 8619087.