A new voluntary organisation is being established to support the families of victims of serious crimes.
Kilkenny native John Whelan is one of the founders of "SAVE", which stands for Sentencing And Victim Equality.
The group believes that sentencing policy for serious crimes in Ireland, should be changed.
John's sister and two nieces were murdered on Christmas Eve nine years ago.
He explains how the organisation came about.
"Five or six families got together who were in the same situation, where they've lost loved ones to homicide."
"We feel that the whole justice system needs to be reformed when it coems to sentencing and issues like parole and bail as well because we feel that there is a complete imbalance there."
"It is completely stacked in the favour of the perpetrators, and families get very little support from government when it comes to trying to get our lives back together after such a traumatic loss."
He also explains the aim of the new group.
"We're going to look to meet with the Department of Justice and let them know who we are and who we represent."
"We also hope that the general public will row in behind us and support us in this cause."
