Truth will now be told..our dad did not get that

Family of man killed by partner welcome character reference reform

- NICOLA DONNELLY

THE daughter of a man killed by his partner has welcomed a landmark reform that would require character references in serious criminal cases to be given under oath or by affidavit.

Karen Ryan began campaigning for the change after hearing the woman who unlawfully killed her father, James Ryan, described in court as being of “good character” during sentencing.

James, 69, from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, died after 49-year-old Olesja Hertova forcefully pushed him to the ground, causing catastrophic head injuries on August 11, 2024.

Hertova was jailed for two years and nine months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2025 after pleading guilty to unlawfully killing him.

Karen argued while the defence was allowed to present positive character references, evidence detailing years of abuse suffered by her dad could not be put before the court.

Speaking then, she told us: “My father’s killer was called a ‘good character’ after she abused him for years and finally took his life.

“Vital evidence of this abuse was not allowed to be presented in court because of our outdated legal system.

“But her good character evidence was allowed because she pleaded guilty?

SECURE