A legal expert is warning that proposed legislation aimed at blocking killers from benefiting financially from their crime could open more loopholes than it closes.
UCC Professor John Mee addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice which today debated 'Celine's Law'.
The proposed legislation is named after Celine Cawley, who was killed by her husband Eamonn Lillis.
Despite his manslaughter conviction, Mr Lillis benefited from the sale of the family home, in which he was a joint tenant.
He also received a share of the profits of the company he ran with his late wife.
Professor Mee has recommended further amendments to the bill before it's sent forward.
He told committee members: "If it were to be enacted, I think it would make things considerably worse.
"It focuses on a perceived loophole, which I don't think is a loophole in any conventional sense.
"But then it opens three or four bonafide loopholes where criminals or murderers could profit from their crime."
"Unbelievable"
Meanwhile, the brother of a man murdered by his wife 10 years ago said he can't believe the law hasn't been changed.
Paul Byrne was stabbed to death by his estranged wife Tanya Doyle in 2009.
His brother Noel said he was advised that Tanya Doyle could be entitled to receive a portion of her late husband's pension.
However, the trustees of the pension decided not to pay out this money.
He says says his family, like the Cawleys, are appalled at the lack of political action to change legislation.
Noel Byrne told the committee: "We as a family can't understand how a person that had admitted murdering somebody can benefit from their crime.
"It's unbelievable that you as Dáil members haven't done something sooner."
