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Monday 29 May 2023 Dublin: 9°C

# Department of Justice

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# parental alienation
Significant recommendation to make children's voices a 'priority' in family justice system
The recommendation suggests that by including the voice of the child it ensures they are “heard and considered”.
This month
May 2023
# Afghanistan
Over 400 approvals issued to Afghan refugees through Government's Admission Programme
The programme was set up in the immediate aftermath of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Last month
April 2023
# Prison Overcrowding
Head of prison officer group says overcrowding is putting staff and prisoners 'at risk'
‘We once again have single cells doubled up, mattresses on floors, prisoner population going through the roof,’ POA leader Tony Power said.
This year
2023
# defamation laws
Govt aims to reform defamation laws to protect public-interest journalism and reduce costs
Ireland’s libel and slander laws have been criticised for creating a chilling effect on public-interest journalism.
# Dáil
Legislation that would allow gardaí to wear body cameras set to be tabled today
The Bill will allow for recording from body worn cameras, helicopters, aircraft, Garda dogs, drones, mobile devices and tablets.
Last year
2022
# Poor box
Court poor box donations raise close to €17m for charities over 10 years
A 2004 review by the Law Reform Commission described the system as unfair for offenders who cannot afford to pay for donations.
# Cabinet Reshuffle
Justice portfolio will be my priority in the coming months, says Harris
Harris will serve as Minister for Justice until Helen McEntee returns from maternity leave, as well as retaining his Higher Education brief.
THE MORNING LEAD
'We had to eat leftover meat and fish': Modern slavery in the Irish fishing industry
A report by
Maria Delaney and Geela Garcia
Migrant fishers who left vessels due to exploitative treatment ‘ignored’ in recent cross-departmental review.
Inspection reports reveal potential trafficking and deficiencies relating to hours of work and rest
Researcher: "The problems in Ireland can be traced to very specific policies and laws here"
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are migrant fishers exploited in Ireland?
Navy boardings find 10 fishing vessels almost fully crewed by migrant fishers
THE MORNING LEAD
Irish justice system 'failing' migrant fishing workers who report exploitation
A report by
Maria Delaney and Geela Garcia
Our investigation finds 35 referrals of human trafficking in sector – but no prosecutions.
US report states Ireland has systemic deficiencies in victim identification, referral and assistance
Alleged trafficking victim: "It hurt. I felt the punch land. I told him if he did that again I’d report him."
# LGBT
Consultation launched on scheme to disregard historic convictions of gay and bisexual men
The criminalisation of consensual sexual acts between men remained in place until 1993.
THE MORNING LEAD
No Afghan refugees accepted through Admissions Programme due to 'insufficient information'
A report by
Tadgh McNally
The Department of Justice has asked for DNA testing in some instances.
At least three people killed in mosque blast in Afghanistan capital
Taliban celebrates 'day of conquest' to mark turbulent first year in power
# Helen McEntee
All recommendations from report on cancelled 999 calls will be implemented, says McEntee
The report found that there were issues where call takers did not properly assess the vulnerability of some callers.
# Department of Justice
Ireland's 'onerous' Afghan refugee programme has zero decisions in year since Taliban takeover
The scheme was designed to help Afghans travel to Ireland to stay with family members who are already living in the State.
The scheme was designed to help Afghans travel to Ireland to stay with family members who are already living in the State.
Humanitarian workers say those waiting to hear about applications feel left behind.
The Department of Justice said decisions will be issued “in the coming months”.
# Consent
Stronger laws on determining consent in rape cases agreed by Cabinet
McEntee is currently seeking approval to publish a general scheme of the bill and then begin drafting the proposed legislation.
# Hate Crimes
McEntee says planned new hate crime laws will carry more severe penalties
The new Incitement to Hatred and Hate Crime Bill is planned for the autumn
# Ukraine
Ukraine refugees to be allowed register at regional immigration hubs under new law
The new legislation will remove the current requirement to travel to Dublin.
# scam accounts
Warning of scammers impersonating women on Instagram and posting links to pornography
“But when I saw that it followed my dad, my heart sank. And he was like ‘who did this?’ And obviously I didn’t know, I still don’t know.”
Three women tell their stories of how this happened to them
The harmful phenomenon is so under-researched that it doesn't have an official name, but it's been happening on Instagram for several years
"At the start I thought it was a joke, but then it started to follow my family members," one woman told Jamie McCarron
# judicial appointments
McEntee says diversity will be a focus of new process for appointing judges
The new Bill was approved by Cabinet earlier this week and will be published shortly.
# Courts
High Court president's comments on judge shortage were 'most unfortunate', senior official said
There was an “implicit criticism” of the government and Áras an Uachtaráin in the comments, senior officials noted.
# Undocumented
McEntee confirms opening date for long-term undocumented scheme
The new scheme will see undocumented migrants get a chance to apply for citizenship.
All time
# Afghanistan
Temporary residence to be offered to 500 Afghans under new admissions programme
Priority for the scheme will go to the most vulnerable, like the elderly, women, girls and people with disabilities.
THE MORNING LEAD
'Revolving door': Traveller women imprisoned for minor offences such as driving without tax
A report by
Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy
Noteworthy and The Journal examine the impact of the justice system on Travellers, with a focus on children.
Noteworthy and The Journal examine the impact of the justice system on Travellers, with a focus on children
Reporters Michelle Hennessy and Maria Delaney found young Travellers detainee numbers jumped last year
Children who spoke to the investigation team said they felt fear and anxiety around interactions with gardaí
Home by 10am: 'Misuse' of reduced school days leaving a generation of Traveller children 'lost'
Traveller health 'not being prioritised' despite 'shocking' outcomes for children
# stardust
Stardust funding row to be resolved in coming days
A pre-inquest hearing was told that, while the issue is not entirely finalised, an agreement is expected soon.
# third inquest
Majority of victims’ families could be excluded from Stardust inquest, TD warns
Labour’s Aodhan Ó Ríordáin cited a row over promised free legal aid.
# Stardust fire
Calls for urgent resolution to legal fees impasse for Stardust families
Campaigners said this morning that the Department Of Justice has reneged on its “past promises” to pay for work undertaken by their legal representatives.
# New Rules
Garda promotions to be handled by Public Appointments Service under new regulations
Promotions to the ranks of sergeant and inspector had previously been managed internally.
# student visas
Criticism as international students told to enroll in a course to extend their visas
The Department of Justice has said that they will take a pragmatic approach to the situation.
# Fáilte
Frontline workers among 1,200 people granted Irish citizenship since January
Citizenship ceremonies have been temporarily replaced by signing a declaration of loyalty.
# covid-19 pandemic
Non-EU doctors call for all frontline workers' citizenship applications to be fasttracked
Doctors have written to all TDs and senators asking for their citizenship to be fasttracked as a gesture for their work during the pandemic.
# Naturalisation
Justice Minister aims to reduce waiting time for children born in Ireland to gain citizenship
Currently, children born in Ireland whose parents are not Irish citizens – and haven’t met residency requirements – must live here for at least five years before they can gain citizenship.
# Asylum
€2.2 million spent on deporting people from Ireland in last three years
Figures from the Department of Justice show 601 people were deported between 2018 and 2020.
# application backlog
Justice Department says it can't fast-track healthcare workers' citizenship applications
The Department said it can’t fast-track the healthcare workers’ applications specifically, as it doesn’t segregate applicants by their work.
# Stardust fire
Stardust: Government urged to solve legal aid logjam that is delaying start of inquests
Opposition parties have urged the Taoiseach and the government to prevent any further delay right after the 40th anniversary of the disaster.
# protection
Waiting time for asylum seekers to seek permission to work reduced by three months
Asylum seekers will need to wait six months instead of nine before they can apply for permission to work in Ireland.
# Travel
Over 100 breaches of PCR test rule at Dublin Airport recorded under new rules
The Department of Justice said the breaches were a mixture of people failing to provide a test result and others providing a test result from beyond the 72-hour limit.
# squeezed students
'I'm not sure my friends can afford it': International students face hike in health insurance costs
There has been no clarity from immigration authorities about when rules will be enforced.
# Frozen Assets
Irish government to return €5.5m in funds misappropriated by former Nigerian leader
The government said the funds were frozen in a Dublin-based bank account.
# Deportation
'These orders have us heartbroken': Protest planned against deportation of Athlone students
The couple live in a direct provision centre in Athlone.
# INspections
'Mould, fire hazards and damp' identified at Direct Provision centres as new Minister aims for independent inspections
No inspections of centres have taken place since late March due to Covid-19.
# direct provision
'Our friend was badly let down by the State': Calls for transparency around deaths in Direct Provision one year after Sylva Tukula's burial
The CSO is aiming to collect data on Direct Provision deaths but the Justice Department says it has no role in collecting this.