Petition to the Northern Ireland Assembly

For the Introduction of “Scottish John’s Law”

To Prevent the Sharing of Images from Accident or Fatal Incident Scenes

Submitted by: The  Friends of Scottish Johns

To:
The Speaker and Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly
From:
Friends of Scottish John,     " John O’Brien "family, friends, and citizens of Northern Ireland who believe in compassion, dignity, and respect for victims and their loved ones.

Petition Statement

We, the undersigned, call upon the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Department of Justice (NI), and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to take urgent action to introduce legislation known as “Scottish John’s Law.”

This law would make it a criminal offence to record, share, or publish images or video footage from the scene of a fatal or serious accident without the explicit consent of the victim’s next of kin.

On 8th October 2025, our dear friend John O’Brien, known affectionately as Scottish John, was tragically killed after being struck by a lorry in Newry city centre.

In the aftermath of this horrific event, graphic and deeply distressing images from the scene were shared online without consent.

This caused severe emotional trauma to John’s grieving family, his friends, and many in the community — including vulnerable people from local mental health and support groups where John was a valued member.

Such acts rob victims of their dignity and add unbearable pain to already devastated families. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident — the absence of clear legislation in Northern Ireland leaves families exposed and without protection.

Our Request

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the Northern Ireland Assembly to: 1. Enact “Scottish John’s Law”, creating a clear offence prohibiting the unauthorised recording or sharing of images from accident or fatal incident scenes.
2. Require immediate removal of such content by social media platforms upon request by law enforcement or affected families.
3. Launch a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the harm and legal consequences of sharing traumatic imagery.
4. Develop support and guidance for families and individuals impacted by the circulation of such content.

Purpose
“Scottish John’s Law” aims to: Protect the dignity and privacy of victims.
Prevent further trauma to grieving families. Promote compassion and decency in our digital culture.
Let this law stand as a legacy of respect, love, and humanity, ensuring that no other family must endure the same pain.

Submitted by:

Friends of Scottish John
C/O   Camlough Men's Shed
Camlough, Newry, Northern Ireland
Email: camlochmensshed@gmail.com
Phone: 028 3005 1734 .