Vigilantism is a worry when speaking about the prospects of establishing a domestic violence register in Ireland, Ciara Kelly has said.

The Justice Minister revealed yesterday that a domestic violence register for those convicted of rape or serious sexual assault, comparable to lists published of tax offenders, will be established in Ireland.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan told the Dáil the only way the public knows about such cases is if a journalist happens to be in court or if a victim waives their anonymity.

Last year, legislation was proposed in the Dáil which would allow Gardaí to alert the public or a new partner of someone on the list if their partner had previously been convicted of sexual violence.

Minister O’Callaghan’s plans would take this proposed legislation a step further, making the register publicly available online.

24-year-old mother-of-two Jennifer Poole who was murdered at her home in Finglas. Image: An Garda Síochána

The draft legislation titled ‘Jennie’s Law’ was proposed by the family of Jennifer Poole.

Ms Poole was 24-years-old when she was killed by her former partner in 2021.

She was unaware that her ex-partner, Gavin Murphy, had a history of abusive behaviour and had several convictions.

The Minister also said he hopes to bring a memorandum to Government next month for legislation on 'Valerie's Law'.

This law would allow courts to remove guardianship rights from parents or guardians who kill or seriously harm another parent or guardian of their child.

Fianna Fail TD Jim O'Callaghan at Montrose in Dublin, 23-08-2020. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Ciara Kelly said she likes the idea of protecting the public from these violent offenders, however, she worries about the mob mentality this list may create.

“This idea of a public register for sex offenders is very interesting, because, on the one hand, personally, I don't care if their names are published, I see them as far more heinous than tax defaulters and their names are published,” she said.

“But there's a couple of things… one is that currently, the only way you'd know their names is if somebody waives their right to anonymity - does that mean that if the victim doesn't want it, they will still be named? Because that does risk identifying a victim and that's a problem.

“The other thing is despite the fact that I don't care about them being named and shamed at all… there is an issue with vigilantism.”

Ciara Kelly in the Newstalk studio. Image: Rory Walsh/Newstalk

Ciara said she doesn’t see a “mob marching on the home of a tax defaulter” but she could see it happening in the case of a sex offender.

“I could easily see a mob marching on the home of a paedophile or a rapist or a sex offender who's living in a community,” she said.

“That creates issues that are problematic, particularly if the wrong person is marched on.

“The only reason we want a public register of sex offenders is truthfully for us to know where they are - that's the reason that you want to know that Joe Bloggs down the street is a sex offender.

“But what do you do with that information as a community? I'm not sure you do anything good with it.”

Shane Coleman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk

Co-presenter Shane Coleman agreed with Ciara’s points, saying “the vigilante aspect of things” worries him.

“I would worry about the vigilante aspect of it - I do wonder how effective this law will be in practice,” he said.

“I can see why [families and victims] would think it would make a difference.”

Shane said he is “unconvinced” whether this legislation would create change.

Split image of Jim O'Callaghan (L) and Ciara Kelly (R)