Longford conference on responding to the risk of domestic homicide

An internationally renowned criminologist will be a keynote speaker when Longford Women's Link host a major conference 'Responding to the Risk of Domestic Homicide in Rural Ireland' this week.

Jane Monckton Smith, a Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire, will give an acclaimed presentation and training on the '8 stage timeline' of events before domestic homicide.

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The former police officer had previously researched hundreds of cases of intimate partner homicide in 2018 through interviews with bereaved families and public protection professionals and identified 'Eight steps' to homicide and common themes.

LWL provides support to women and children experiencing domestic violence and they support women and children in Longford and surrounding counties such as Leitrim, Cavan, Roscommon, Westmeath and other counties.

Natalie O'Reilly, the DV Co-Coordinator at LWL, said the criminologist's talk will be delivered to frontline practitioners like social workers, Gardaí and professionals within the education and healthcare sectors.

She said they are delighted Prof Monckton Smith is returning for the conference on Wednesday and Thursday of this week
"All frontline staff basically will have the opportunity to collaborate with this joint learning on how to respond to victims that are experiencing coercive control and domestic abuse.

"Professor Jane Monckton -Smith is a leading expert, who is returning and delivering the material and it's all evidence-based and scientifically researched."

Natalie said the attendees are coming from a broad cross section of Irish society such as Gardaí, Tusla staff members, GPs, midwifery and education sector professionals, court service staff, Longford Community Safety Partnership representatives and people from Domestic Violence support services.

The expert last spoke at a domestic homicide conference in Longford in May 2023 where a large number of professionals attended and they worked together to establish a model of good practice.

Natalie said the attendees are coming from a broad cross section of Irish society such as Gardaí, Tusla staff members, GPs, midwifery and education sector professionals, court service staff, Longford Community Safety Partnership representatives and people from Domestic Violence support services.

Natalie said Professor Jane Wilkinson-Smith will deliver her presentation on the eight stages to domestic homicide this Wednesday, September 24.

She stated on the second day Thursday, September 25 the focus will be all of the research on hidden homicides.
The Katie Trust charity was established in Northern Ireland in memory of 21-year-old showjumper Katie Simpson, whose death in August 2020 was originally ruled as suicide.

However, her sister's partner Jonathan Creswell was arrested on suspicion of murder one year later.

The 36 year-old's trial ended in April 2024 following his sudden death and Natalie said the Katie Trust charity is investigating a number of cases in Ireland.

"It's where deaths are being described or put down on the death cert as an accident or a suicide or missing person.

"But actually, when you dig deeper and look at the whole circumstances and the history of the person, and what was happening around the time of the disappearance or death, it's been proven that it wasn't as innocent or as plain as it's been made out to be." Natalie said Prof Monckton Smith has researched and actually she chairs some of the homicide reviews and there is often a domestic violence element to those types of reviews.

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LWL receives funding from various sources, including governmental bodies like the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Higher Education Authority, as well as from sources like childcare and course fees.

In June it was confirmed the organisation has been awarded a grant of €22,500 by the RTE Toy Show Appeal.

LWL also received over €48,000 in January last year to aid victims of crime.