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Wednesday 7 June 2023 Dublin: 9°C

# Simon Harris

Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# familicide
Harris says family concerns will be 'considered' in domestic violence report recommendations
The study was carried out independently of the Department of Justice.
# Back at Cabinet
Helen McEntee returns as Justice Minister this week after six months maternity leave
McEntee gave birth to a boy in December and has been on maternity leave since November.
# homocide reviews
Long-awaited report on familial homicide cases goes to Cabinet today
The report makes recommendations to improve the State’s response to familicide and domestic homicide.
# garda recruitment
Garda recruitment age limit should be reconsidered, says justice minister
The Government hope to recruit 1,000 new gardaí by the end of the year.
# columba mcveigh
Ministers visit Co Monaghan bog where search for remains of Columba McVeigh continues
Columba McVeigh was just 19 when he was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975.
# tensions
Harris calls for ‘everyone to take a bit of a deep breath’ over rows with coalition over budget
His comments come after Fine Gael ministers of state called for a tax cut of €1,000 for full-time workers earning €52,000.
THE MORNING LEAD
Free speech fears and far-right conspiracies: the culture war over Ireland's hate speech bill
A report by
Stephen McDermott
A chorus of negative reactions to the bill has grown louder in recent weeks.
Last month
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”.
# budget 2024
Harris believes tax article did not breach trust in the coalition amid heightening tensions
The Justice Minister said he thinks it was “perfectly appropriate” for the junior Minsters to give their views publicly.
# no jury trial
Special Criminal Court expert review to be published next month
A vote to extend laws that underpins the Special Criminal Court will take place before the summer recess.
# Cabinet
Jail-time for assaulting Gardaí or ramming Garda vehicles to increase to 12 years
Minister for Justice Simon Harris will today seek Cabinet approval to amend the law.
# Electricity Bill
Elderly woman forced to use savings for late husband's headstone to pay energy bill, Dáil hears
Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke raised the case during Leaders’ Questions this afternoon.
# Hate speech
Harris takes aim at Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr during defence of Govt's hate speech bill
There have been concerns raised about Section 10 of the proposed legislation by the ICCL.
April
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.
# Public Transport
Gardaí to be based at 'transport hubs' at Dublin's Heuston and Connolly train station
Justice Minister Simon Harris said there will be better coordination between transport providers and the gardaí.
# sexual violence
Harris launches guide for third level institutions to end sexual violence and harassment
Institutions will be instructed to record statistics on harassment, assault, and rape and report them to the Higher Education Authority.
# Dáil Debate
Harris urges all parties to vote for Special Criminal Court renewal in wake of Regency verdict
The Justice Minister was critical of Sinn Féin for abstaining on votes around the Special Criminal Court.
# Higher Education
Rise in students facing 'serious financial hardship' as average expenses surpass income
Those experiencing serious financial difficulties rose from 26% to 33% in two years.
# Simon Harris
Mary Lou McDonald criticises 'false and deeply offensive' claims she had links to Gerard Hutch
Politicians have been giving their reaction to the high-profile verdict.
# defaulter list
Harris says European court ruling on tax defaulters needs 'detailed consideration' by Govt
The Justice Minister said that he wanted to see the list system continue.
# eviction ban
Justice minister slams 'disrespectful' tweet by Eoin Ó Broin of Gardaí edited into eviction scene
Government TDs and the head of a Garda representative body have criticised the TD for an edited image of Gardaí at a 19th-century eviction.
March
March 2023
# Abuse
Minister tells Grace case inquiry it is 'imperative' it completes report within 12 months
Minister tells Commission it is ‘fair and reasonable’ that work can be completed within the timeframe.
# 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.
# Columb Barracks
Justice minister says anti-asylum seeker demonstration in Mullingar was 'effort to intimidate'
The government recently decided to use Columb Barracks, which has been closed for several years, to temporarily house asylum seekers.
# Waterford
Approval granted for university to buy 20 acres on former Waterford Crystal site
The site has been mooted for use as student accommodation and to expand the university’s footprint in recent years.
# factcheck
Debunked: Leo Varadkar did not say that 'biological males' shouldn't be put in female prisons
In Scotland, non-violent prisoners may still be housed according to their gender expression.
# Simon Harris
Minister says policy on transgender prisoners 'will be informed by best international practice'
The Irish Prison Service is due to finalise a policy on the matter.
# The Job
New garda recruitment campaign to be launched this Friday
Minister for Justice Simon Harris will bring proposal to the Government today with the plan to run the campaign for three weeks.
# War Crimes
Ireland to offer Garda assistance to prosecutors probing Russian war crimes in Ukraine
The funding totals €3 million and there is also an offer of forensic science and garda investigators.
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.
# recruitment crisis
Increasing Garda retirement age to 62 under consideration, says Taoiseach
Varadkar has spoken to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the measure.
# Drone attacks
DAA given green light to buy frequency jamming anti-drone technology for use at Dublin Airport
No primary legislation is required to enable its use at the airport, it is believed.
# 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.
February
February 2023
# Misinformation
Social media companies aren't doing enough to remove misinformation about migrants, Harris says
There have been numerous allegations about migrants and refugees circulating on social media in recent weeks.
# judicial appointments
24 new judges will be appointed in Ireland this year
Phase one of the plan is expected to cost between €15 million and €18 million.
# Drugs
Minister for Justice Simon Harris says he 'hasn't heard' of drug use in Leinster House
Harris said such matters should be reported to the Gardaí, as Fine Gael TDs were quizzed on drug policy and personal drug use.
# spiking
'Worrying increase' in spiking incidents reported to gardaí as figures nearly double
The government will repeat its awareness campaign this year.
# George Nkencho
Shooting of George Nkencho: GSOC probe completed ahead of decision on sending report to DPP
George Nkencho died after he was shot during an interaction with gardaí in December 2020.
The 27-year-old died outside his Dublin home in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by members of a Garda Armed Support Unit.
GSOC's role is to act as an independent agency to investigate when someone suffers a serious injury or dies when interacting with gardaí.
There has been repeated criticisms of the delay in the investigation.
# drug taking
Simon Harris: 'Direct link between snorting a line and murder, assault, criminality and misery'
The Justice Minister told the Dáil that casual drug use was far from victimless.
# coercive control
Govt plans to prevent cross-examination of victims by abusers in coercive control cases
Harris is to also ask the Government not to oppose a Bill from Green Party Senator Vincent P Martin.