December 2025: Minister for Justice: Drafting of Valerie's Law is ongoing and it is on the priority list for publication in this session.

Media Coverage

2025-12-22 Valerie Beast's Prison Xmas Feasts

"The killer has opposed plans to include a BMW bike in the couple's estate"

https://www.thesun.ie/news/16281255/murdered-valerie-french-brother-blasts-killer-christmas-treats-prison/

2025-12-17 Valerie French Kilroy’s family sue her killer husband for damages

"Mr French’s lawyers served a notice on November 3rd last of intention to proceed with a personal injuries case against james kilroy for the murder of Valerie French. However, because solicitors have yet to come on record for Kilroy in the High Court case, the necessary legal documents could not be served. In those circumstances, lawyers for Mr French this week secured liberty from the High Court to serve the legal documents on Kilroy in Castlerea Prison."

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2025/12/17/killer-husband-is-sued-for-damages-by-victims-family/

2025-12-17 Butterfly Memorial Garden in Mayo honours 277 women who have died by femicide

Safe Ireland Mayo’s butterfly memorial in the refuge garden commemorates the 277 women lost to femicide, however CEO Mary McDermott warns the true figures are higher.

...

Inside [the polytunnel in the garden] are two chairs donated by friends of Valerie French. Ms French was an occupational therapist and a mother of three from West Cork. On June 14, 2019, she was found in her home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Mayo after being murdered by her husband. The chairs are inscribed with two phrases: “For Valerie French, a kind, vibrant, creative young woman who lived life to the full. Sit and talk a while,” and “You are not alone, we believe you, we are here for you.”

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/mayo/news/butterfly-memorial-garden-in-mayo-honours-277-women-who-have-died-by-femicide/a983759490.html#

2025-11-10: Kilroy murdered my sister - we have to pretend everything is "OK" for kids

https://www.thesun.ie/news/16079636/kilroy-valerie-french-brother-heartbreaking-reality-tusla/

2025-10-29 The immense bravery of survivors of domestic homicide - How we need to change our response to domestic abuse and our treatment of survivors

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41732037.html

2025-10-16 "Five Books That Could Save Your Life" Event

Coverage of participation in the ‘5 Books That Could Save Your Life' event organised by Haven Horizons in the Department of Justice buildings.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/madelinemcaleer_thank-you-all-for-attending-our-5-books-activity-7387120106981675008-wwGo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABFL3wBeIAvJaH75QiA4owR_VrJkOQ7pvw

2025-10-06 Brother of murdered Cork woman welcomes move to remove killer's guardianship rights

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41718114.html

2025-10-05 Brother of murder victim Valerie French claims killer husband is delaying sale of her estate

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/crime/brother-of-murder-victim-valerie-french-claims-killer-husband-is-delaying-sale-of-her-estate/a907259613.html

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/brother-of-murder-victim-valerie-french-says-killer-husband-delaying-sale-of-her-estate/a1469235140.html

2025-09-30 Alone in cell & spending days cleaning jail school…evil wife killer James Kilroy’s prison life details emerge

https://www.thesun.ie/news/15897928/killer-james-kilroy-lands-first-job-behind-bars-cleaner/

2025-08-01 Examiner: Bereaved families want to discuss domestic homicide — we owe it to them to talk about it

Being 'shocked' at domestic homicides is not good enough. They happen all the time, everywhere, in all kinds of settings, and we need to talk about them

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41679302.html

2025-07-20: Did State pay my siter's killer after conviction ?

The Irish Mail on Sunday covered the controversy over continued salary payments to kilroy:

https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/the-irish-mail-on-sunday/20250720/281556591861133?srsltid=AfmBOoo1lz5zASH2k8XnE7w6y3zGOcQJX3vWABPXHyUVz24UHE1ILyEw

2025-07-16 Controversy over continued salary payments to kilroy

On July 16th Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach: "Can murderers, specifically wife murderers, continue on the State payroll after conviction? Is there any regulation to stop someone receiving State funds years after killing someone, particularly the mother of their child? A number of attempts have been made to find out if James Kilroy, who murdered Valerie French, is still being paid by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. My information is that he is. ...".

The Taoiseach responded "I do not have the background in respect of the NPWS and how it is dealing with this, but I will find out and come back to the Deputy."

The full exchange can be seen at

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2025-07-16a.231#g274

The Irish Mail on Sunday covered this in an article on 2025-07-20 and it was also covered by extra.ie