Órla O'Donnell

Legal Affairs Correspondent

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan is charged with murdering a man on 24 February 2022

Barrister pleads not guilty to murder of man in 2022

A law professor and barrister has pleaded not guilty to murdering another man at a farm in Tallaght in Dublin almost three years ago.

Courts • 14 Oct 24

Mr Burke was imprisoned for the third time last month, for failing to obey an injunction granted last year

High Court orders continued imprisonment of Enoch Burke

The High Court has ordered the continued imprisonment of secondary school teacher, Enoch Burke, after he again refused to agree to abide by a court order.

Courts • 11 Oct 24

As part of Budget 2025, €3 million is being provided to establish a Children's Court Advocate Pilot Project (Stock image)

Pilot programme to focus on children in courts system

The Cabinet has approved a new pilot programme to ensure the voices and views of children are heard in the courts system.

Courts • 09 Oct 24

The Chief Justice was speaking at a ceremony to mark the opening of the new legal year

Criticism of courts must be constructive - Chief Justice

The Chief Justice has said criticism of the courts and of individual judges should be fair and constructive. Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell said such criticism should recognise the limitations on the information available about court cases and the significant constraints on courts and judges.

Courts • 07 Oct 24

Mr Justice Paul McDermott said there was an extraordinary level of brutality and viciousness in the attack on Lorna Woodnutt

Boy sentenced to life in detention over Woodnutt murder

A teenager who killed a woman last year and posted a video of the murder on Snapchat has been given a sentence of life in detention with a review after 15 years.

Courts • 03 Oct 24

Noel Ryan, of no fixed abode, was charged this afternoon with the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and the abduction of a child

Man charged over hijacking of car with baby inside

A man has appeared before Dublin District Court charged with hijacking a car with a baby inside, while the baby's mother was taking the buggy out of the boot.

Courts • 26 Sep 24

Applications for domestic violence protection orders increased by more than 2,000 last year, to 25,570

Domestic violence protection applications increase by 25%

The number of applications for domestic violence protection has increased by 25% over the last five years, according to the latest figures published by the Courts Service.

Courts • 23 Sep 24

The Council of the Bar said barristers are the only group of workers in the criminal justice sector who have not had the pay cuts reversed

Bar Council calls for pay restoration for barristers

The organisation representing Ireland's barristers has again called on the Government to reduce pay cuts to barristers implemented in the aftermath of the financial crash.

Courts • 23 Sep 24

Tarisai May Chidawanyikam points to difficulties faced by immigrants who may have completed law qualifications in their home countries

Defying odds - joining legal profession despite barriers

Orla O'Donnell speaks to two women who have navigated difficult journeys on their path to becoming lawyers, as a plan on how to implement recommendations to remove barriers to the legal profession is expected "within weeks".

Courts • 19 Sep 24

The man was refused bail at Dublin District Court (file pic)

Man who allegedly left building with child refused bail

A 25-year-old man who allegedly walked out of an apartment building in Dublin with a child he did not know "under his arm" has been refused bail at Dublin District Court.

Courts • 18 Sep 24