Valerie was great fun to be with, extremely capable and immensely caring. This showed in her work as an occupational therapist, where she cared for people across the community, and in her personal life.

Valerie married a man who became controlling and extremely patriarchal. Like about forty percent of women killed in domestic abuse in Ireland, there was no evidence of physical abuse before he killed her. He claimed insanity but was convicted of murder.

Valerie’s murder was a massive shock to her family, and her mother died soon afterwards. Despite the conviction, Valerie’s husband retains guardianship of her three children and this has caused massive problems for them and for her siblings.

There is a campaign to introduce a law in Ireland which would suspend the guardianship of shared children when a parent kills the other parent. This is modelled on Jade’s Law in England and Wales. Further information on the campaign progress can be seen on the website valerie.rip

Valerie’s situation, the aftermath of domestic homicide and some of the reforms needed are covered in a book called “For Valerie” published in May 2025.