Courtrooms must ditch character references for killers and rapists

Family seek legal reform after father died of injuries from push by partner

- NICOLA DONNELLY

THE family of a man killed by his partner after she “forcefully” pushed him have renewed their calls for urgent legal reform after revealing his killer was described in court as being of “good character”.

James Ryan, 69, from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, died in hospital the day after his 49-year-old partner Olesja Hertova pushed him to the ground, causing severe head injuries.

She was jailed for two years and nine months in July at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to unlawfully killing James on August 11, 2024.

James’ daughter Karen Ryan said she is campaigning to remove “good character” references from court proceedings in cases of domestic violence, sexual offences, murder and manslaughter.

Karen said the Irish legal system failed her father and countless other victims by allowing defence teams to present “good character” evidence while restricting vital proof of abuse.

She added: “My father's killer was called a ‘good character’ after she abused him for years and finally took his life.