Órla O'Donnell

Legal Affairs Correspondent

The college issued its statement as a new study examining the use of the drug HHC, found it was the second most common drug involved in patients presenting with psychosis at University Hospital Galway between May 2023 and December 2024

'Beggars belief' HHC available without restrictions

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has said it "beggars belief" that products containing a man-made drug which produces similar effects to cannabis, and which it says has done major damage to people's mental health, are still available without restrictions in this country.

Health • 18 Jul

Former priest jailed for eight years for raping sisters

A former priest who raped and sexually assaulted his sisters while he was a seminarian has been jailed for eight years.

Courts • 15 Jul

The High Court heard the challenges by Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy

Court to rule later on junior ministers at Cabinet

The High Court has reserved its decisions on challenges by two TDs to the attendance of junior ministers at Cabinet meetings.

Ireland • 11 Jul

Former minister of state Finian McGrath walks outside the Four Courts after giving evidence in the case over legality of super junior ministers

McGrath says he was treated same as senior ministers

Former independent minister of state Finian McGrath has told the High Court that he was treated exactly the same as full senior ministers when he sat around the cabinet table between 2016 and 2020.

Courts • 10 Jul

Former minister Shane Ross leaves the Four Courts accompanied by TD Paul Murphy

Ross denies illegality of publishing Cabinet details

Former Senator and Independent Alliance TD Shane Ross has denied that writing a book about his time in government, which contained details of cabinet discussions, was an "act of calculated and deliberate illegality".

Courts • 10 Jul

Govt nominates eight judges under new appointment process

The Government has nominated eight new judges, the first nominated for appointment to the judiciary following the introduction of a new process for choosing judges in January this year.

Courts • 08 Jul

The 'super junior' ministers are Hildegarde Naughton, Mary Butler, Seán Canney and Noel Grealish

High Court hears challenge over 'super junior' ministers

A three judge division of the High Court is hearing a challenge by Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly to the attendance of so called super junior ministers at Cabinet meetings.

Politics • 07 Jul

Ryan Casey spoke to the media following the guilty verdict against Josef Puska in 2023

Ashling Murphy's boyfriend settles BBC defamation case

The partner of murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy has settled his High Court claim for defamation against the BBC.

Courts • 03 Jul

Conor McGregor had intended to introduce new evidence

McGregor's withdrawal of evidence to be referred to DPP

The Court of Appeal is to refer documentation relating to Conor McGregor's application to withdraw so-called new evidence from his appeal to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Courts • 02 Jul

Conor McGregor's lawyers said they wanted to withdraw the application to bring in fresh evidence in support of his appeal (file image)

McGregor withdraws application in rape appeal

Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has withdrawn his application to introduce new evidence in his appeal against the finding of a High Court jury in a civil trial that he raped Nikita Hand.

Courts • 01 Jul