Blanket ban on identifying deceased child victims to be lifted within weeks

Helen McEntee

The Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 will amend section 252 of the Children Act 2001, which the Court of Appeal ruled last year prevents the identification of a deceased child in criminal proceedings for an offence against the child.

The Department of Justice said it expects the law to come into force in “very early May”, allowing parents to speak publicly about their children in cases where they have been unlawfully killed.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “I am conscious of the deep hurt felt by families around the restrictions on reporting the identities of deceased children who have been the victims of criminal acts.

“I appreciate the cooperation of members of both Houses in progressing the Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 which has now been approved by the Seanad and the Dáil, and will be forwarded to the President for signature.

“I would like to thank Senator McDowell and Deputy O’Callaghan in particular for their early engagement on this issue and helping to bring it through the Houses as quickly as possible.

“This legislation will remove the restrictions on reporting the identities of deceased children with respect to past and future cases, while retaining the protection for living children.”