‘I was led to believe Coco’s name would be in the title’
By Maurice Garvey
‘IF COCO’S name is not in the title, it is not Coco’s Law’. These are the heartfelt words of Jackie Fox, mother of tragic Nicole Fox Fenlon (21), who was bullied to suicide in 2018.
Ever since that tragic day on January 20, 2018, Jackie has campaigned tirelessly, delivering talks to youngsters up and down the country, and meeting legislators, in an effort to bring in ‘Cocos Law’ and protect vulnerable people from online abuse.
Jackie Fox holding a framed photo of Nicole
All signs of this happening were looking good for Clondalkin mother Jackie, who was supported by Labour’s Justice Spokesperson Brendan Howlin, who first brought a petition supporting the bill to the Dáil.
However last Thursday, Ms Fox discovered on Facebook that the official title of the bill will be the Harassment, Harmful Communications, and Related Offences Bill.
“To get that pulled out from underneath me is absolutely devastating,” said Jackie.
“I was led to believe Coco’s name would be in the title all the way up. One is nothing without the other. I’ve fought this for nearly three years, given talks to colleges, schools, to youth clubs, sports clubs, everyone that knows me, TD’s Ministers, all know it as Coco’s Law.”
In a Dáil debate last week Justice Minister Helen McEntee said advice she received is that the official title of the Bill follows the naming conventions of other laws in Ireland, but Ms Fox disagrees.
“They say there is no law in Ireland with people’s name but that is not true. If Minister McEntee read up on Nicole’s story, she would know she was harassed and stalked. These people put up explicit images (online) and blurred out the face, said it was Nicole.”
A spokesperson for the Minister said they are “acutely aware” of Nicole’s legacy as part of the Bill “thanks to Jackie’s tireless efforts”, and passing the legislation is one of the Minister’s top priorities.
The spokesperson said the Minister personally requested extra Dáil time in the week before Christmas to ensure it passes through the Oireachtas and becomes law by the end of the year.
“Minister McEntee has worked closely with Brendan Howlin and with all parties across the Dáil to progress this legislation as speedily as possible.”
For Jackie, having the name of her daughter on the law is “so important” because Nicole “matters”.
Jackie met with Minister McEntee on Tuesday night and is scheduled to meet the Minister again on Thursday morning.
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