A new law has come into effect from Monday, criminalising offences committed abroad by Irish citizens or residents.

Among the offences included in the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act are rape, murder and manslaughter.

Under the new act, individuals who commit particular offences abroad will be liable to be prosecuted under Irish law.

The passing of the law enabled Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women and domestic violence on International Women's Day.

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention, is a legal instrument in combatting sexual and domestic violence.

It entered into force August 1st 2014 and is a broad based document which covers a number of policy areas.

The purpose of the convention is to protect women from all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence.

It also aims to ensure the design of a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of and assistance to all victims of such violence.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "The commencement of this act signifies that Ireland is committed to our international obligations and that we are steadfast in our efforts to combat violence against women and all forms of domestic violence.

"These new provisions can now be used to tackle violent crimes committed by Irish citizens and residents abroad."

Offences for the purposes of the act also include assault causing serious harm, threats to kill or cause serious harm, coercion, harassment and aggravated sexual assault.

Minister Flanagan added: "This act, in conjunction with other pieces of legislation such as the recently enacted Domestic Violence Act 2018, the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Victims of Crime Act 2017, enable Ireland to effectively tackle these serious crimes at home and abroad."

The act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins on March 5th.

It allowed Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention on International Women's Day on March 8th.