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Monday 27 March 2023 Dublin: -4°C

# Helen McEntee

This month
March 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Defendants in criminal trials could be awarded compensation if trials are unduly delayed
A report by
Christina Finn
In some courts, people are awaiting trials for 27 months.
# Kevin Sheehy
Justice Minister’s decision to transfer boxer's killer to the UK met with shock by his family
Five-times national boxing champion Kevin Sheehy was killed by Logan Jackson in Limerick in July of 2019.
This year
2023
# on the agenda
Grooming children into a life of crime to carry penalty of five years in prison under new law
Minister for Justice Simon Harris will today seek Cabinet approval for the new Bill.
Last year
2022
# Executive Decisions
Cabinet approves international surrogacy policy proposals with aim of giving 100s of families a 'route to recognition'
A busy Cabinet session also saw Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien bring draft laws to overhaul Ireland’s planning system.
# Justice Minister
Helen McEntee begins maternity leave with Heather Humphreys taking over justice brief
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will take over the justice brief until 17 December.
# Cherry Orchard
Government sets up group to ‘intensify’ support for Cherry Orchard
The area came under the spotlight in September after people cheered as a Garda patrol car was rammed.
# Didier Reynders
EU Justice Commissioner to meet with Meta and Twitter during Ireland visit
The Commissioner will also meet with Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon.
# National Security
New 'landmark' Policing Bill to radically change Irish national security apparatus
Cleared by cabinet this morning the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is expected to become law next year.
THE MORNING LEAD
Almost half of people think allowing nightclubs to stay open until 6am is a bad idea
A report by
Hayley Halpin
The Cabinet approved legislation last month that would allow nightclubs to stay open until 6am.
The Cabinet approved legislation last month that would allow nightclubs to stay open until 6am. If the legislation is passed by the Oireachtas, the changes are likely to be enacted next year.
More than half of people think later opening hours for pubs is a good idea.
Doctors' group warns longer pub opening hours are 'regressive and harmful'
Licensing changes to allow nightclubs open until 6am and pubs open until 12.30am by summer 2023
# Templemore
Taoiseach hopes to find solution to 'very regrettable' closure of Garda college pool to public
Locals have told The Journal that they are no longer permitted to use the swimming pool – those affected include a Special Olympics team.
# Crime
New 'street crime' Garda taskforce for Dublin to be established
It is understood the task force could include operations to target low and mid-level drug dealing.
# 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.
# Hate speech
New laws on hate speech includes provision to protect freedom of expression, says minister
Government has been called on to ensure new laws comply with principles of proportionality and necessity.
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
# short stay visa
Russia and Belarus removed from Short Stay Visa Waiver Scheme
The scheme allows nationals of some countries to travel to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain an Irish visa.
# outdoor dining
Drinking outside pubs and restaurants here to stay as minister plans to make it permanent
The law that permits outdoor drinking and dining has been extended for a further six months.
# open all hours
Licensing changes to allow nightclubs open until 6am and pubs open until 12.30am by summer 2023
While venues will be prohibited from serving alcohol after 5am, dancing will continue until closing time.
# Sex Offenders
New laws would allow gardaí to show photos of sex offenders to school principals
Helen McEntee said that she wanted to have “the strongest law possible” around monitoring sex offenders.
# Anti-social behaviour orders
The Justice Minister wants to know why ASBOs are used more in some areas than in others
McEntee asked Harris to undertake a review of the legislation around Asbos.
# Judicial misconduct
Legislation allowing for complaints about a judge's conduct comes into effect
It’s the first time in the history of the State that complaints can be made by members of the public.
# 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.
# Crime
Murders and burglaries down from pre-pandemic levels
However there has been a 5.6% increase in reported sexual offences since last year.
# safe public transport
Taoiseach to engage with ministers on the issue of police on public transport
Micheál Martin says public transport must be safe and affordable.
# Penal Reform
Judges to be able to set minimum life sentences as changes to Ireland's penal system announced
The plan is to keep non-violent offenders out of prison to reduce overcrowding.
# Anniversary
Gardaí take part in parade to mark 100th anniversary of policing handover
The Civic Guard, formed by Michael Collins and the Irish Government in 1922, was later renamed An Garda Síochána.
# Navan Hospital
Closure of Navan A&E is 'built into' HSE's 'fresh look' review, say local TDs
A working group review into the planned closure of ED services at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan should be completed in a few weeks.
A review group tasked to give a fresh look at the planned closure of the emergency department will be completed in "a few weeks".
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly asked the HSE to carry out a review of capacity levels in light of a number of concerns being raised.
However, opposition TDs have hit out against the wording of the terms of reference in which the review group is operating.
'Drogheda is under pressure': Taoiseach urges caution over Navan ED closure
On-call GP service 'majorly concerned' over plans to require referrals for patients to Navan
# Public Transport
More 24-hour Dublin buses to be rolled out in autumn
Increase in late-night services across the public transport network is being kept under review, Dept of Transport tells The Journal.
# Public Transport
Pledge that new nightclub closing times will mean expanded late-night public transport
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says a taskforce is examining the expansion of late-night public transport for when nightclubs get the green light to stay open later.
# New Laws
Stalkers face 10 years in prison as tough new domestic violence laws to be rolled out
The maximum sentence for assault causing harm is also being doubled to 10 years.
# mountjoy death
Lessons must be learned from death of Mountjoy prisoner, says McEntee
Robert O’Connor (34) died in hospital yesterday following an assault by a group of other inmates.
# 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.
# Europe
Visa-free travel for some refugees suspended over fears of 'abuse' of system - Ukrainians not affected
The Government made the announcement this evening amid a shortage of accommodation for refugees.
# 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
# Helen McEntee
Justice Minister in favour of higher rate of tax for convicted drug dealers
While changes to the tax system for criminals is not presently being considered, Helen McEntee said the idea “wouldn’t be a bad thing”.
# suspended
110 gardaí on suspension including 17 for 'sexual offences'
Twenty three gardaí have been suspended so far this year.
# Organised Crime
Garda liaison officer to be appointed to UAE as part of latest crackdown on Kinahan gang
The move is the latest in a wave of international action against the Kinahan cartel.
# stardust
Stardust inquests to have independent jury following passing of legislation in the Dáil
Jurors are currently selected for inquests by Gardaí, but campaigners had raised concerns about this due to the force’s involvement in the inquest.
# Zero Tolerance
Secondary school curriculum to be updated to address issues like domestic violence and consent
Education Minister Norma Foley said that education has a “very significant” role to play in the new Zero Tolerance strategy.
# Domestic Violence
Assault causing harm sentence to double from 5 to 10 years under new domestic violence strategy
Justice Minister Helen McEntee will today seek Cabinet approval for the five-year plan and the €363 million package to underpin it.
# Meath
Government to oppose SF motion on emergency department closure at Navan Hospital
A Government countermotion has been tabled as health and justice minister seek clarity from HSE.