Department of Justice

The latest news, analysis, and opinion on the Irish Department of Justice

‘I’m so scared’: Families in limbo after being told to leave international protection accommodation

Many of those affected are working locally, and their children attending local schools

Third of asylum seekers entering State this year subject to a fast-track decision-making

Total numbers applying for leave to remain in Ireland down by 44% year on year in period to mid-June

People with right to remain in Ireland stuck in direct provision centres due to lack of housing, Hiqa finds

Inspections covered IPAS centres in Cork, Kerry, Louth, Galway and Waterford

‘I have no rights to him’: mothers of children through surrogacy wait in legal limbo

Legislation and regulation are lagging behind for parents not currently recognised on birth certificates

More than 130 properties offered for IP accommodation as Government looks to buy, not rent

Plan to provide 14,000 State-owned beds for asylum seekers, with purchase of Citywest a step towards goal

Palestine GAA club’s planned tour of Ireland ‘under serious threat’ due to visa delays

More than 30 players from West Bank club are scheduled to arrive in July to play against teams across country

Bereaved families ‘hopeful’ that domestic homicide reviews will be introduced

Plans stalled amid concerns that proposed inquiries could take six years to start

‘This isn’t just about a visa. It’s about lost futures’: Job offers for Iranian scientists in Ireland hit roadblock

Research and medical services set back due to delay by Department of Justice in processing visas

Accommodation sought for 500 refugees under international resettlement plan

Ireland fell behind on commitments made in 2020-2023 to bring in 2,900 refugees

‘Dublin 8 Says No’: Mother removes son (8) from school due to anti-immigration protests

Hearing about a knife incident in the school’s area ‘felt like American news’, says parent

Ireland to back proposal to extend EU protection for Ukrainian refugees into 2027

Cabinet separately approves plans to strengthen counterterrorism laws

‘Arts’ dropped as a name of a Government department amid reshuffle by Coalition

Tourism and Gaeltacht move to other portfolios from Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Overcrowding in Irish prisons linked to appointment of new judges, system chief warned

Letter from Irish Prison Service director in 2024 warned of increased pressure on system by appointment of 20 new judges

Five children among 35 people deported to Nigeria on chartered flight

Garda Síochána carried out operation removing people from State on Wednesday

Family reunification delays having ‘devastating’ impact on refugee families

Afghan family awaiting decision on parent hiding in Pakistan live ‘every day with instability and fear’

Ukrainians in Ireland succeeding in asylum applications at twice rate of other nationalities

A total of 969 Ukrainian nationals have applied for international protection here since Russia’s invasion

Garda roads policing numbers hit historic low of 618

Steady decline recorded since 2009, when 1,046 gardaí were assigned to road policing duties

Garda Commissioner role: Long-serving senior members not in running due to pension tax concerns

Applications now closed, with sources saying deputy commissioners Justin Kelly and Shawna Coxon have sought to succeed Drew Harris

Families facing deportation are ‘at serious risk of destitution’, warns refugee council

Those subject to orders to leave country cannot work or receive state help such as allowances or medical cards

Removal of brothel-keeping law could ‘expand market’ for sex, O’Callaghan says

Opponents say law endangers women working together for safety, but Minister for Justice believes fears are ‘unfounded’

Ministers accused of giving ‘half the picture’ on refugees as more than 40% get positive decisions

Jim O’Callaghan cited 80 per cent refusal rate on ‘first instance’ decisions

Driving bans could not be implemented on almost 80% of disqualified motorists

Drivers continue to evade punishment by failing to present licence in court

State may struggle to carry out ‘robust’ immigration checks without access to EU’s IT system, warns report

As non-Schengen country, Ireland cannot access bloc’s database registering those travelling from non-EU nations

Coolock U-turn does not offer protesters model for blocking asylum seeker centres elsewhere, says Minister

Department of Justice has scrapped plans to open a 547- bed facility at former Crown Paints site in north Dublin

Plan to expand asylum-seeker accommodation as Government nears purchase of Citywest Hotel

Department of Justice drops bitterly resisted plans to house international protection applicants at old Crown Paints site in Coolock

Asylum seekers will not be accommodated at former Crown Paints site in north Dublin

Calls for inquiry into ‘chaotic’ handling of site which drew protests and attacks

Bunk beds purchased to deal with prison overcrowding

Minister for Justice to increase community service hours allowed from 240 to 480 in bid to reduce number of people incarcerated

Prison service negotiated with bishop rather than unions on new pay structure for chaplains

Two-tier remuneration system for those appointed before and after 2015 should be ended, arbitration board rules

Plans for counselling notes to be disclosed in sexual assault trials only if court decides they are relevant

Proposals stop short of ending access to counselling notes, something campaigners had sought

Garda authorities to narrow hate crime definition in wake of new legislation

Move follows last year’s introduction of legislation providing for stiffer sentences where hate is a motive in crimes

Domestic violence perpetrators could be named in family-law cases under proposals before Minister for Justice

O’Callaghan considering reforms to in-camera rules restricting reports on sensitive court proceedings

Plans for stronger ‘stop-and-search’ powers for gardaí despite department report casting doubt on effectiveness

Report commissioned by Department of Justice found such powers had ‘huge potential’ to create public resentment

Government plans to quickly remove citizenship from convicted terrorist

Irish officials keen to strip Ali Charaf Damache of citizenship to prevent US authorities deporting him back here on his release

Government facing crisis filling Garda Commissioner job amid ‘entrenched’ dispute

Senior officers have no plans to apply to replace Drew Harris due to concerns about pension tax liability of an estimated €500,000

Asylum system overhaul: What is changing beyond all the talk of reform?

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has signalled a new Bill will be the most significant reform of the asylum system in the State’s history

Colm Wu firms allegedly owed €3m for housing Ukranians, court hears

Proceedings taken against Chinese national over alleged scheme to divert money

Murder victim’s brother welcomes proposed law to remove guardianship rights from wife killers

Minister for Justice says guardianship is issue of ‘child protection and welfare’

Asylum applicants could face movement restrictions and detention in accommodation centres

New plan for handling international protection applications envisages just one appeal attempt per person

Lack of up-to-date knife crime statistics criticised as ‘quite incredible’

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín makes remarks after Minister for Justice unable to provide information on such incidents

Extremist right-wing groups growing international links, Irish risk assessment finds

New Department of Justice assessment of terrorism and terrorism finance puts Ireland’s risk levels at moderate but highlights a number of concerns

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Stardust

Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people

Common Ground

How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands