# 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.

13.7k

Mar 9th 2023, 12:05 AM

# 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.

18.2k

Mar 3rd 2023, 10:33 AM

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.

9.2k

Jan 18th 2023, 6:15 AM

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.

9.6k

Updated

Dec 13th 2022, 3:34 PM

# 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.

32.5k

Nov 25th 2022, 6:16 PM

# 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.

10.9k

Nov 24th 2022, 5:48 PM

# 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.

3.6k

Nov 24th 2022, 10:44 AM

# 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.

23.5k

Nov 22nd 2022, 4:51 PM

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.

36.1k

Nov 14th 2022, 12:05 AM

# 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.

22.3k

Nov 4th 2022, 6:01 PM

# 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.

17.2k

Nov 4th 2022, 1:31 PM

# 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.

13.8k

Nov 4th 2022, 12:45 AM

# 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.

15.3k

121

Oct 27th 2022, 5:32 PM

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.

28.8k

Oct 27th 2022, 12:05 AM

# 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.

23.5k

Oct 25th 2022, 8:24 PM

# 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.

28.7k

Oct 25th 2022, 7:53 PM

# 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.

72.1k

111

Updated

Oct 25th 2022, 2:00 PM

# 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.

10.7k

Oct 6th 2022, 2:00 PM

# 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.

16.3k

Oct 4th 2022, 2:05 PM

# 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.

15.9k

Oct 3rd 2022, 10:16 AM

# 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.

8.6k

Sep 30th 2022, 8:50 AM

# Crime

Murders and burglaries down from pre-pandemic levels

However there has been a 5.6% increase in reported sexual offences since last year.

8.2k

Sep 26th 2022, 10:30 PM

# 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.

7.1k

Sep 15th 2022, 11:40 AM

# 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.

13.7k

Aug 31st 2022, 12:51 PM

# 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.

19.6k

Aug 27th 2022, 2:02 PM

# 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.

16.9k

Aug 17th 2022, 12:05 AM

# 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.

27.1k

Aug 9th 2022, 6:00 AM

# 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.

29.3k

Aug 5th 2022, 6:15 AM

# 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.

20.8k

Updated

Aug 4th 2022, 5:24 PM

# 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.

14.3k

Aug 4th 2022, 5:22 PM

# 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.

22.5k

Updated

Jul 27th 2022, 2:06 PM

# 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.

49.8k

Jul 18th 2022, 6:46 PM

# 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

8.4k

Jul 13th 2022, 4:01 PM

# 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”.

36.2k

Jul 8th 2022, 7:27 PM

# suspended

110 gardaí on suspension including 17 for 'sexual offences'

Twenty three gardaí have been suspended so far this year.

19.7k

Jul 7th 2022, 5:38 PM

# 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.

14.9k

Jul 6th 2022, 1:32 PM

# 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.

5.4k

Jul 1st 2022, 12:26 PM

# 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.

13.9k

Jun 28th 2022, 7:22 PM

# 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.

11.8k

Jun 28th 2022, 6:20 AM

# 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.

30.1k

Updated

Jun 21st 2022, 7:58 PM