Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Wednesday 29 November 2023 Dublin: 3°C

# Simon Harris

May
May 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Increasing Garda retirement age to 62 under consideration, says Taoiseach
Varadkar has spoken to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the measure.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
'Worrying increase' in spiking incidents reported to gardaí as figures nearly double
The government will repeat its awareness campaign this year.
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.
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.
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.
Harris says decision-making process for those seeking asylum will be accelerated
People seeking asylum will have decisions on their application made more quickly, the justice minister said.
Simon Harris suggests he received note on nursing home strategy but claims cases were 'historical'
The past week has seen the revelation that successive governments used the strategy to limit payouts to nursing home residents.
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.
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.
‘We’re turning a big ship’: What has changed in Irish society since Ashling Murphy’s death?
Front-line services have called for greater action on the government’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ strategy
Gathering at Ballymun migrant shelter ‘was intimidation, not a protest’, Harris says
Videos emerged over the weekend of a crowd of people outside a building where families were living.
Justice Minister to meet with gardaí to discuss ban on community use of Templemore college pool
In November, then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin had given assurances that the local community in Templemore would get access to the garda college pool.
'Here is some s**t for you': Man refuses to apologise for incident where bag was 'thrown' at Govt TDs
It comes after Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon had cow dung thrown at them during a public meeting this week.