Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan is The Irish Times Legal Affairs Correspondent. She was previously Higher Courts Reporter, reporting on the Supreme Court, Commercial Court, High Court and Court of Criminal Appeal

No 10 Coldwater Lakes
The mystery of 10 Coldwater Lakes

Investigation into control of mansion in west Dublin gives gardaí valuable insights into notorious crime gang

No 10 Coldwater Lakes, Saggart, Co Dublin. Photograph: The Irish Times
Cab seeks Daniel Kinahan’s location in bid to seize Dublin mansion, court told

Criminal Assets Bureau believes property came under control of Kinahan cartel in 2014

A majority Supreme Court decision has left little room for ambiguity concerning the requirements for proving an offence of sexual assault. Photograph: iStock
Supreme Court majority ruling clarifies requirements for proving sexual assault

Judges say no evidence of sexual motive necessary if assault took place in indecent circumstances

A former prisoner has secured leave from the High Court to challenge a community mental health service’s continuing refusal to help him treat his illness. Photograph: Collins
Former prisoner challenges HSE over refusal of community mental health services

Man (30s) has history of violent offending and fears relapse due to lack of services

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee directed preparation of the implementation plan. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Key decision on legal costs in major plan for justice system reform deferred

Timelines set for rollout of 90 recommendations for reform of legal system

The man, representing himself, told Judge Máire Conneely the protection order was sought three weeks after he sought access to the baby. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Parents in court battle over access to intellectually disabled baby

Woman previously obtained a protection order against the man

A businessman operating two coffee shops and retail outlets has claimed his prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act over selling products containing CBD breaches EU law.
Businessman challenges prosecution over selling CBD products

Prosecution in breach of EU law, man claims as product is widely available in other markets

The proceedings were lodged earlier this week in the High Court. Photograph: iStock
Defamation case brought against Eoghan Harris’s wife, Gwen Halley, over tweets

Journalist Aoife Moore lodges proceedings in High Court over posts from Twitter account

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said legislation providing for the €400 recognition payment is expected to be in place by July but the payment will be backdated. Photograph: Gareth Chaney
Pay for hosting Ukrainian refugees same regardless of number housed – Minister

Roderic O’Gorman hopes ‘opt-in’ payment will be made available from the end of May

A challenge to a proposed €11,000 damages award under controversial new guidelines for soft tissue injuries opens on Tuesday at the High Court.
Hospital caterer challenges award under new personal injury guidelines

Personal injuries board failed to give adequate reasons for award, woman claims

Frustration and concern about the slow pace, cost and accessibility of civil litigation here has prompted calls for reform over decades and various reviews have been carried out. Photograph: iStock
Time and costs involved in some civil proceedings are mind-boggling

Plan for transformation of costly system goes before Cabinet today after lengthy review

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals by Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch and former Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan Dowdall. Photograph: Reuters
Supreme Court to hear appeal by Hutch over refusal to halt murder trial

Court will hear similar appeal by former Sinn Féin Cllr Jonathan Dowdall

The judge accepted Mr Fingleton’s deteriorating health meant he cannot participate meaningfully in the case. File photograph: Alan Betson
Michael Fingleton’s wife and son may take over defence of IBRC case

Case against former Irish Nationwide chief over building society collapse initiated in 2012

A computer generated impression of the new National Maternity Hospital
Legal documents on services at new NMH are ‘vague’, barrister says

‘The Sisters of Charity have left healthcare in Ireland,’ says Fergus Finlay

United Chemical Company Uralchem chief executive officer Dmitry Mazepin Photograph: Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Russian oligarch has until October to file defence in ‘corporate raiding’ case

Dmitry Mazepin and others accused of 15-year campaign to gain control of fertiliser giant

The National Maternity Hospital is due to move from Holles Street in Dublin 2 to a new site on the St Vincent’s Hospital Campus at Elm Park in Dublin 4. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Independence over provision of NMH services is ‘clear-cut’ – lawyer

Senior legal source says canon law not relevant to the relocation of hospital

The funeral of John Cooke, former Judge of the High Court and European Court at the Church of the Holy Cross, Dundrum. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Judge John Cooke an ‘exceptional man’ who never lost sense of fairness, funeral told

Late High Court justice believed purpose of law is ‘to treat everyone fairly and ensure voice of everyone is heard’

The courts must resume command over the adversarial system so that, at the earliest stage, ‘the core of a case is identified and focused on’, Justice Peter Charleton wrote in the Trinity College Law Review
‘Lack of focus’ prolongs trials, says Justice Peter Charleton

Supreme Court judge says urgent attention is needed to ensure quality of justice

Ms Justice Mary Irvine, the first woman president of the High Court, will retire in July. Photograph: Tom Honan
Legal world divided on legacy of retiring High Court president

Mary Irvine angered barristers with guidelines slashing minor personal injury awards

The 2021 Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) had documented 439 alerts, with 778 persons or entities related to media being attacked
Commission proposes law to protect journalists from abusive lawsuits

Defamation cases of particular concern, says European Commission

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, said she recognised the importance of ensuring technology companies are clear that the ‘right to be forgotten’ should not result in the delisting of information about sexual offenders. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Compelling sex offenders to engage in prison treatment will not work - Minister

New bill tightening curbs on sex offenders in the community passes committee stage

The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the DPP’s appeal concerning the case of Yusuf Ali Abdi who served 16 years in prison before his 2003 conviction for the April 2001 murder of his 20-month-old son, Nathan Baraka Andrew Ali, was overturned at a retrial in late 2019.
No compensation for man whose murder conviction overturned, DPP argues

Supreme Court hears appeal from DPP in case of man jailed for murdering child

The court said it should not be debarred from examining a potentially important point simply because it was said the issue was not properly pleaded.
Supreme Court to hear appeal over Rathfarnham flood relief works

Case raises important issues about Habitats Directive and planning regime, court says

Covid-19 and winter pressures have contributed to the latest ‘alarming’ figures but they ‘have been layered on top of a health system that has been running to stand still for a number of years’, said Rachel Morrogh of the Irish Cancer Society. Photograph: Alan Betson
More than 80,000 waiting for hospital appointments

Health system ’running to stand still for years’ - Irish Cancer Society

The Four Courts in Dublin were occupied during the Civil War. File photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Chief Justice to lead tours of Four Courts as part of 1922 centenary events

Donal O’Donnell launches programme to mark impact of 1922 on Irish legal system

It is argued that the value of claims has been reduced significantly by the guidelines.
Guidelines slashing awards for minor injuries hurt low income workers, solicitor claims

The value of claims do not allow for proper compensation of many claimants

MEPs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly have lodged separate legal proceedings against RTÉ. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Clare Daly and Mick Wallace lodge High Court proceedings against RTÉ

Cases lodged by Independent MEPs on Monday concern alleged defamation

The number of claims has fallen 31 per cent since 2019, when PIAB received 31,078 applications, to 21,410 last year but much of that decline is attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photograph: iStock
'Colossal' drop in personal injury awards which fall by 42% after new guidelines

PIAB guidelines have ‘immediate and colossal’ impact on insurance payouts

Rosalind Carroll, the head of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. PIAB started publishing award figures to increase transparency, but insurers and the Court Service itself needs to do the same so that people can make informed choices, she said. Photograph: Alan Betson
Personal injury awards: New guidelines’ impact ‘a bit of a shock’

Head of assessment board says awards recalibrated in line with international norms

The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by Thomas Reid over permission for an expansion by Intel. Photograph: Feargal Ward
Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal over €3.7bn Intel expansion

Leixlip farmer Thomas Reid failed to meet criteria for an appeal, court said

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks at The annual Fianna Fáil Easter Rising 1916 Commemoration will take place at Arbour Hill. Photograph: Damien Eagers
‘Lessons have to be learned’ from Holohan TCD controversy, Taoiseach says

Micheál Martin says he has full confidence in Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt

Former Fine Gael minister of state for health Jim Daly has been appointed chief executive of the Private Hospitals Association. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Ex-junior health minister named new chief of Private Hospitals Association

Jim Daly taking up role at ’challenging and exciting time’ in Irish healthcare sector

Graham Dwyer. Photograph: Collins Courts
Graham Dwyer ruling: does it make his conviction unsafe?

ECJ ruling will boost his appeal against conviction, but he has obstacles to overcome

Ms Justice Mary Irvine: took up the position of High Court president on June 18th, 2020. Photograph: Tom Honan
High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine to retire in July

First woman to be appointed to role to step down after two years

More than 800 complaints about solicitors and barristers were made to the legal services regulator over the last six months. Photograph: Alan Betson
More than 800 complaints about lawyers made to regulator

Most complaints allege misconduct and inadequate standards of legal services

Committee chairman Kieran O’Donnell TD said he and fellow members regarded reform of public works contracts as urgent and would hold further hearings on that and other matters raised. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Reform of public works contracts urgently needed, Oireachtas committee told

Transport chief highlights ‘significant’ threats to rollout of road projects under NDP

President Michael D Higgins in Vienna: ‘Every glimmer of hope through diplomacy must be seized’. Photograph: Georg Hochmuth/APA/AFP via Getty
Russia’s ‘immoral’ war demands concerted European response, Higgins says

President talks about ‘shared values’ of Ireland and Austria as he begins visit in Vienna

The court heard that Jim Mansfield jnr and his brother Patrick Joseph (PJ) Mansfield consented to an order waiving any claim over luxury property at Coldwater Lakes, Saggart, Co Dublin as part of the Cab case against them and members of the Kinahan cartel. Photograph: The Irish Times
Mansfield given €4.5m cash in two suitcases by Kinahan gang, court hears

Criminal Assets Bureau taking case against Mansfield and members of Kinahan cartel

Mobile phone metadata retained by service providers and accessed by gardaí, was an important part of the prosecution case against Dwyer. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Graham Dwyer court victory has potential consequences for crime across Europe

Few expect Dwyer to benefit personally from ECJ’s mobile phone metadata ruling

Mobile phone data was used prominently by the prosecution in Dwyer’s trial for the murder of childcare worker Elaine O’Hara in 2015. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Mobile phone data used in Graham Dwyer case in breach of EU law, court rules

Judgment has potentially significant adverse implications for fight against serious crime

At the time of publication of the articles, Pat Carey was Fianna Fáil’s national director of elections and involved in some charitable and not-for-profit organisations.
Appeal over documents for action on news articles resolved

Pat Carey alleges breach of privacy and confidentiality in articles on Garda inquiry

Up to 130 court staff are either isolating as close contacts or have contracted the disease. File photograph: Getty Images
High Covid-19 rates trigger adjournment of District Court cases

Criminal and family law cases not affected and will be prioritised, says court president

The Four Courts in Dublin. The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 provides that the names of all those persons who apply for a judicial vacancy are forwarded to the Minister for Justice, for information purposes only, along with recommended names
New Bill for ‘merit-based’ process for appointing judges approved

All candidates for judicial appointment and promotion must be interviewed

The case in the High Court has been listed for six days.
Judges slashed damages for minor personal injuries under an unconstitutional law, court told

Minister must have thought ‘all her Christmas’ came together’ when damages cut

Woman disputes the Personal Injuries Assessment Board’s (PIAB) assessment of her injury
Legal challenge to guidelines on personal injury awards opens

Woman disputes €3,000 award for footpath trip and fall, seeking between €18,000 and €34,000

Meath County Council’s insurers listed the top three causes of claims as pothole incidents, trips or slips on footpaths, and road incidents. Photograph: Getty Images
Average award for minor personal injury fell to €13,825 last year

Meath County Council paid €8.7m over five years to meet trip and slip and other claims

Motor insurance bills have shown a ‘consistent reduction’ over the last few years. Photograph: Getty Images
Have new guidelines derailed the personal injury awards gravy train?

One year on from reforms, insurers are waiting to see how claims play out in court

Grange, Co Sligo (general view), where a serious road traffic collision involving a lorry, car and a van occurred about 3:45pm on Monday, leaving a woman in critical condition. Photograph: Google Street View
Woman in critical condition in hospital after road collision in Co Sligo

Incident involving lorry, car and van occurred at about 3:45pm on N15 at Grange

Mr Justice Max Barrett’s new book explores the ‘attractions of brevity, clarity and simplicity’ when writing judgments. Photograph: Collins
Look to George Orwell for judgment writing tips, High Court judge tells colleagues

Judge to donate profits from new book on judgment writing to Ukraine relief

Dublin Airport: ‘We would also encourage all passengers to be at the airport a minimum of two hours before boarding a short-haul flight and three hours prior to boarding a long-haul flight.’ Photograph: iStock
Dublin Airport passengers report missing flights due to long delays at security

Staff training coupled with high volume of passengers impacting waiting times

Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell following an event in Ballymun, Dublin, on Tuesday to launch the report of a major conference on Access to Justice. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Chief Justice warns about access to justice and importance of independent courts

Situation in US shows what happens when legal system becomes disconnected, says Donal O’Donnell

Gerry Hutch, with an address at Clontarf, Dublin, is charged in connection with the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel, Whitehall, Dublin, on February 5th, 2016. Photograph: Getty Images
Gerry Hutch wants Supreme Court to halt his trial before non-jury court

Hutch and co-accused lost separate High Court applications aimed at quashing DPP’s decision to try them before the Special Crimina(...)

Graiguearidda owns David Kelly’s 12% stake in Manders Terrace and is suing that firm; Paddy Cosgrave, its main shareholder and Web Summit ceo and co-founder; and Mr Cosgrave’s vehicle, Proto Roto, for alleged oppression of shareholders’ rights.
Web Summit seeks to prevent co-founder’s firm pursuing €5m-10m profit share claim

David Kelly’s Graiguearidda owns 12% stake in holding company Manders Terrace

A High Court judge has temporarily suspended making further directions in an action brought here against a Russian oligarch, his company and others arising from an alleged illegal scheme to takeover a Russian fertiliser giant.
Judge suspends making further directions in action against Russian oligarch

Two top Irish law firms wish to stop representing Dmitry Mazepin and his company

Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters are appealing the Court of Appeal’s upholding of the High Court’s May 2020 refusal to grant them leave for a judicial review of the Covid-19 measures. Photograph: Collins Courts
Seven-judge Supreme Court to hear appeal by Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters

Appeal over refusal to allow pair to challenge constitutionality of emergency Covid laws

Desmond Wisley (49), with an address at Tully, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, was released on bail after being charged at Tallaght District Court last Tuesday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Priest says he ‘got a bit of a thrill’ when lorry reversed through gates of Russian embassy

Reverend John Walsh said he ‘would not have minded’ being in the cab of the lorry

Peter Smithwick, the senior judge who led an inquiry into claims of Garda/IRA collusion into the murder of two RUC officers, pictured in 2011. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Peter Smithwick was judge ‘who treated everyone’ with respect, funeral told

Daughters say they had a ‘special’ and ‘extraordinary’ father

Barrister Anna Bazarchina: ‘You’re putting your kids to bed at night and thinking of all the other children who are in the cold and in bunkers.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Ukrainian-born barrister among Irish barristers offering legal aid to refugees

Barrister’s two aunts, aged in their 70s, among those who fled Ukraine

A food takeaway where rodents were found to have access to food preparation surfaces was among eight food businesses served with closure orders. Photograph: iStock
Inspection of Limerick takeaway finds ‘extensive rodent activity’

Premises among eight food businesses served with closure orders last month

A law still prevails as to the breaking open of vaults and the extracting of teeth from dead bodies.
Over 3,000 obsolete laws face removal from Irish statute books

Tooth theft law from 1836 among those Law Reform Commission wants abolished

Judge Peter Smithwick, a former president of the District Court and chairman of the Smithwick tribunal, has died. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Former District Court president Judge Peter Smithwick dies

Member of prominent Co Kilkenny brewing family led tribunal into killing of RUC officers

Law Society president Michelle Ní Longáin said women make up a majority of solicitors but men continue to dominate the higher ranks of the profession. Photograph: iStock
Law Society president calls for more diversity in profession

Michelle Ní Longáin stresses importance of increasing access to leadership for women

The European Court of Justice will give judgment next month concerning the far-reaching challenge by convicted murderer Graham Dwyer over Ireland’s mobile phone data retention regime. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
European Court of Justice to rule next month on Graham Dwyer data retention case

Phone data played key role in securing conviction for Elaine O’Hara’s 2012 murder

A High Court jury previously assessed €387,000 damages to Captain Higgins, a senior commercial airline pilot with Aer Lingus. Photograph: Collins Courts
Aer Lingus pilot awarded €202,500 damages after earlier payout slashed on appeal

False emails about Capt Padraig Higgins sent by Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)

Whether a rent freeze would ultimately achieve lower rents is a seperate question, but would it be constitutional? Photograph: iStock
Would a freeze on rents be constitutional in Ireland?

The Government argues a rent freeze is not constitutionally possible but are they right?

The Bar has asked the competition organisers to communicate to the Russian team that their removal from the competition ‘is a mark of our condemnation’, says Maura McNally SC. Photograph: iStock
Russian team cannot participate in lawyers’ event, Bar of Ireland says

Opportunity to send ‘signal of disgust’ to Russia must be harnessed, chair says

The paper raises several concerns, including the non-payment of compensation for pain and suffering in non-fatal cases and delays in completing claims. Photograph: iStock
Law Reform Commission seeks to widen response on overhaul of victim scheme

‘Plain English’ summary published of consulation paper for compensating crime victims

Barristers at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street, Dublin, stopped work for a time on Tuesday to highlight the low fee rates paid. Photograph: Collins Courts
System under ‘real threat’ as barristers leave criminal work – Bar Council

Organisation’s chair has written to Minister to highlight concerns over fees and numbers

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Uralchem chief executive Dmitry Mazepin at the Kremlin in January. Photograph: Mikhail Metzel\Tass via Getty
Putin ally’s firm faces Dublin contempt hearing over ‘corporate raiding’

Latest application in extended international legal battle over ammonia giant shareholding

Belarusian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin is one of several defendants accused over an alleged conspiracy to defraud the world’s largest producer of ammonia. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
Former Putin ally being sued in ‘corporate raiding’ case in Dublin

Case alleging $2bn fraud conspiracy is most valuable to come before Commercial Court

Paddy Cosgrave is a co-founder of the Web Summit. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Web Summit co-founder facing lawsuit over alleged defamation

Proceedings lodged in the High Court last week against Paddy Cosgrave

Vladimir Putin. The CCBE welcome prosecutor of the ICC’s statement saying that the court may investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within the territory of Ukraine since 2014 onwards. Photograph:Getty
European lawyers call for trial of Putin following Ukraine invasion

Russia’s actions breach fundamental principles of international law, CCBE says

The inspectors were particularly concerned about the lack of specific safeguards for searching children and vulnerable adults. Photograph: Stephen Collins/ Collins
Garda Inspectorate seeks better safeguarding of people in custody

Report sets out 41 recommendations after inspection exposes several deficiencies

Former chief justice Frank Clarke is among the retired judges who are engaged in mediations and/or arbitrations. Photograph: Tom Honan
Barristers say they are losing out on work to retired judges

Legal firms suggesting judges as mediators for ‘more lucrative’ mediations, say barristers

The site of the former Tuam mother and baby home, in Co Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Bill on mother and baby home excavations approved but scepticism persists

Events at Tuam described by O’Gorman as ‘a stain on our national conscience’

Atlas GP took the cases since the residents initiated their challenge last September against An Bord Pleanála over its July 2021 permission for a 255 unit development at Church Road, Killiney.
State to make submissions on residents' bid to halt developer case

Building firm has taken several legal actions against residents opposing development

Dr Laura Cahillane, of the University of Limerick said an opportunity to provide guidelines for the Oireachtas in dealing with a referral of alleged misconduct was missed when the Act was being prepared. Photograph: Getty
Judicial misconduct complaints procedure needs to be ‘more transparent’

Authors of ICCL report welcome progress on issues but suggest Act requires further work

Proposals to reform the Defamation Act do not go far enough, according to ISME, the small and medium employers representative group. Photograph: iStock
Plans to reform defamation laws do not go far enough, ISME says

Reports suggest that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will bring proposals to Cabinet next week for defamation law reform

Fianna Fáil Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness said in November he was ‘sickened to the pit of my stomach’ by the details of the Grace case. File photo: David Sleator
Dismay expressed at decision not to prosecute HSE in ‘Grace’ case

Concern that decision will mark ‘end of the road’ for other cases connected to foster home

High Court decision related to planning application for 24 turbine development in the midlands.
No appeal over decision on obligations of wind farm developers

Environmentalist describes judgement as most important success he has achieved

The commission wants Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth Roderick O’Gorman, to support a statutory amendment to section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. Photograph: iStock
Complaints procedure over refusal of pub entry ‘not fit for purpose’ – IHREC

Law disproportionately impacts disabled people and members of Traveller and Roma communities, says watchdog

Architect’s image of St Anne’s Park development: Successful challenges have been taken to more than one board strategic housing development permission for a particular development, as happened when a company of Pat Crean’s Marlet group sought permission, initially for 536 dwellings, later 657, on lands near the park in Raheny.
Is there ‘an industry’ in planning objections? Level of successful appeals suggests not

Planning decisions take ages but a move to tighten rules is sparking widespread fury

Retired diplomat Rory Montgomery has been appointed as the next chair of the Press Council of Ireland. He will take up the role on April 1st. Photograph: Twitter/PressOmb_Irl
Rory Montgomery appointed as new chair of Press Council

Retired diplomat served for 36 years in Departments of Foreign Affairs and Taoiseach

The existing scheme pays special damages such as for medical costs and loss of earnings. File photograph: The Irish Times
Law reform body queries State scheme for victims of violent crime

Commission questions whether non-payment of compensation in line with EU obligations

Former solictor Michael Lynn arriving at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Photograph: Collins Courts
Trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn opens on Wednesday

He is accused of stealing €27m from seven mortgage lenders between 2006 and 2007

Michael Lynn goes on trial over alleged €27m mortgage fraud

Accused alleged to have applied for multiple loans from seven banks on same properties

Attempts to challenge the legality of Covid-19 measures in the High Court either failed to get off the ground at all. Photograph: Alan Betson
Legal status of Covid measures still uncertain

Dismissal of charges against four men in Golfgate case has brought little clarity

Judges have voted to adopt new conduct and ethics guidelines which will be the framework for the first judicial misconduct complaints procedure here. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Judges vote unanimously to adopt new conduct and ethics guidelines

Measures will be framework for State’s first judicial misconduct complaints procedure

The new guidelines are based on seven international principles of judicial conduct known as the Bangalore Principles. Photograph: Getty Images
Judges to vote on first-ever judicial complaints procedure

New conduct and ethics guidelines to be put before Judicial Council on Friday

The new guidelines are based on seven international principles of judicial conduct known as the Bangalore Principles, approved by the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 2003. File photograph: Getty
Judicial guidelines to be voted on by State’s judges

Proposed standards aimed at assisting in coming to decisions concerning conduct and ethics

The Commercial Court is hearing an action taken by the Minister for Education against Co Tyrone-based building firm Western Building Systems over alleged defects in Ardgillan community school, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
Schools repair bill of €400m a ‘rough ballpark figure’, senior official says

Figure put to departmental official in action against building firm over alleged defects

The case focused on the McDonagh family’s unauthorised presence on a site near Ennis
Supreme court judgment a victory for Travellers’ rights

Analysis: Onus put on local councils to consider rights of minority group in evictions

Former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary is expected to give evidence when the trial resumes this week. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Former minister Dara Calleary expected to give evidence in ‘Golfgate’ trial

Trial of four other men over alleged breaches of Covid regulations due to resume Thursday

President Michael D Higgins with Holocaust survivors Tomi Reichental and Joe Veselsky. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Dublin ceremony honours millions of Holocaust victims

Rise of extremist language and politics across Europe ‘profoundly worrying’, says President Higgins

Though very unlikely, if a prosecution does proceed Leo Varadkar can almost certainly forget about becoming taoiseach again. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Ongoing Garda investigation threatens Varadkar’s return as taoiseach

Tánaiste faces huge barrier to his December accession if matter is not finalised by then

Sinnotts Bar, one of four pubs that took test cases over business interruption claims against insurer, FBD. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
FBD must cover losses of pubs due to early closing rules

High Court judgment has implications for payments to as many as 1,000 pubs across State

An estimated 1,000 pubs and restaurants are potentially affected by a key High Court judgment on Friday on the sums that insurer FBD must pay to four pubs who won test cases over compensation for business interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Up to 1,000 outlets could be affected by FBD judgment

Decision due on compensation amounts

Ashling Murphy was killed while she was out running on the afternoon of January 12th in Tullamore, Co Offaly
Q&A: What can you post online when there is an active legal case?

The perils of commenting have been brought into sharp focus

Mr Justice Brian Murray was appointed straight from the Bar to the Court of Appeal bench in November 2019. Photograph: Collins
Justice Brian Murray nominated for appointment to Supreme Court

Constitutional law expert represented State in opposing Graham Dwyer data case

The court’s main judgment makes clear courts must apply the same standards to the scrutiny of executive decisions affecting guaranteed rights of individual as to their examination of claims that individual rights have been infringed by actions of the legislative branch of government. File photograph
Power of courts to scrutinise government extended in homeschooling ruling

Judgment seems to reaffirm courts cannot be relied upon to protect socio-economic rights

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