The coalition of the Association of Judges of Ireland (AJI), The Bar of Ireland, the Law Society of Ireland, the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) has raised over €50,000 so far and is continuing to appeal for support.

Ireland has granted refugee status to 11 women judges and their families, a number of whom have already arrived in the State.

One judge who has been brought to safety in Ireland has recounted how she saw “people running in terror” from her courthouse building as the Taliban approached during their takeover of the country.

Derek Walsh, president of the LSBA, told Irish Legal News: “The legal community is very conscious of the plight of the Afghan people and the position of female legal professionals is precarious under the Taliban regime. There has been a reversal of human rights and female judges have had to go into hiding for fear of reprisals.

“It behoves us as a profession to show solidarity with our colleagues in Afghanistan and respond with generosity to this appeal. The Limerick Solicitors Bar Association is proud to play a small part in this humanitarian crisis and as such, we have made a donation in the sum of €2,500 to the appeal.”

More information is available online on donating to the fund and assisting in other ways.