Bill to close loophole allowing murderers to inherit property of their victims

The Government has published legislation preventing murderers from inheriting the property of their victims, The Irish Times reports.

As the law presently stands, the Succession Act 1965 prevents a person from inheriting any part of the estate of someone they have murdered, attempted to murder or killed by manslaughter.

However, where the murderer and their victim share joint tenancy over a property, the killer is entitled to the full value of the property.

The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 closes this loophole in case of murder, attempted murder and manslaughter.

The bill is currently at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage.

A spokesperson for Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan told The Irish Times: “Minister Flanagan considers that reform of the law in this area is both urgent and necessary. For this reason, he is taking the first available opportunity to publish reform proposals based on earlier recommendations of the Law Reform Commission.”