News

A man has lost an appeal against his conviction for murder after unsuccessfully arguing the trial judge had incorrectly advised the jury as to the standard of proof in relation to the defence of diminished responsibility. Joseph Heffernan appealed to the Court of Appeal against his conviction for th

IFA national chairman Jer Bergin The Irish Farmers Association has challenged Irish political parties to commit to stricter sentences and law enforcement to tackle rural crime.

A group campaigning for the extension of the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland has condemned the prosecution of a 21-year-old woman for procuring an abortion. The woman, from Co Down, appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with two offences under the Offences Against the Person

A woman has been granted leave for a judicial review against the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over its decision to reinstate an officer under investigation in connection with her son's death, the Belfast Telegraph reports. The Public Prosecution Service is still considering the findings

Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Briggs Plans for online courts that would remove lawyers and judges from disputes would allow people to settle disagreements of up to £25,000 according to a new report.

A retired Central Criminal Court judge who brought a judicial review over rules preventing him resuming practice as a barrister has been asked to disclose his financial affairs, The Irish Times reports. Barry White, 71, is challenging the Bar Council of Ireland, the Justice Minister and the State ov

President Michael D Higgins The grand-nephew of Harry Gleeson, the first person in Irish history to be awarded a posthumous pardon, has criticised the Government for using the wrong name on the instrument.

Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford has met with the judges of the 2016 Justice in the Community Awards ahead of the close of nominations next month. Mr Ford has encouraged members of the public to submit nominations for the awards, which are now in their fifth year, by 1 February 2016.

The High Court has found that a family’s use of factory land in order to access their cottage does not constitute a legal right of way, as it arose out of the family’s connection to the factory, and subsequently out of a relationship of tolerance and reciprocity. The plaintiffs, known as Zopitar

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has commenced new legislation designed to dramatically reduce the number of people jailed for non-payment of fines.

Gerry McAlinden QC, chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland More than 800 cases have been held up in Northern Ireland's courts due to an ongoing row between lawyers and the Department of Justice over legal aid cuts.

A 21-year-old woman from Co Down will be tried for offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 after allegedly procuring an abortion. The woman appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday in relation to one charge of using the drugs Mifepristone and Misoprostol with intent to procur

Children's Minister James Reilly Children's Minister James Reilly is considering the establishment of a new body to regulate the appointment of guardians in child care cases, The Irish Times reports.

The State has agreed not to demolish buildings at the heart of a High Court case to save properties said to be linked to the 1916 Easter Rising during a two-week adjournment, the Irish Examiner reports. The 1916 Relatives Association launched legal proceedings seeking to have a number of buildings o

Tralee Circuit Court has ordered a recount of votes cast in the 2014 local elections for the Listowel electoral area in North Kerry following a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year. Judge Thomas E O'Donnell made legal history by ordering a recount "afresh" for the first time in the Irish courts.