The mother of two girls murdered by their dad has said tragedies in Ireland are too often "brushed under the carpet".
Una Butler’s husband John killed Zoe, six, and two-year-old Ella, before taking his own life in November 2010.
And she was speaking after the Government approved new supports for families of mothers or fathers and their children murdered by a spouse.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan’s proposals were met with unanimous Cabinet approval.
Government approves new supports for families of parents murdered by spouse
They will see a special research study to offer victims support and further investigations and reviews in domestic homicide cases.
And Una hailed the new measures as a step forward in how such cases are treated in Ireland.
She told the Irish Independent: "Hopefully, and I have no doubt, this study will help to prevent further families from suffering the devastating loss of a child or family member."
The changes came about in the wake of outcry over the murder of Clodagh Hawe and her children, Liam, Niall and Ryan by their father Alan in Cavan in 2016.
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It is also planned to stop the husbands or spouses profiting from the deaths of their partners. Mr Flanagan said: “It is important those who have experienced this unimaginable loss engage with this.
“While familicide is relatively rare in Ireland, these horrific events have a devastating impact on those left behind.
“I want to ensure clear protocols are in place so the State can provide all appropriate supports in a co-ordinated and timely manner."
