Joe Little

Religious & Social Affairs Correspondent

Oberstown is the country's only children's detention facility

Reduction in use of restrictive practices at Oberstown

There was a 25% reduction last year in the recorded use of single separation at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in north Co Dublin.

Crime • 28 Jun 19

Hillary Clinton is guest of honour at Barretstown this evening

Clinton: Open border key to ensuring peaceful relations

The former US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has said her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, Senator George Mitchell and herself discussed their worries about Brexit's possible impact on the open border.

Leinster • 26 Jun 19

Charlie Flanagan praised the courage of frontline gardaí who continue to put themselves in harm's way

55% rise in reported sexual offences over four years

The number of reported sexual offences has increased by more than half over the past four years, according to provisional figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

Crime • 24 Jun 19

The pre-announced inspection was carried out last January

Concerns raised over foster care services in west

A HIQA inspection of Tusla's foster care services in the Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan area has found that during 2017 and 2018, seven children were not visited within the required time frames.

Health • 28 May 19

Tactile plastic templates, which are superimposed on the ballot papers, were first used in last year's abortion referendum

Plastic templates to be used by voters with sight loss

For the first time, around 55,000 people with sight loss are being facilitated to cast their ballots in secret in local and European elections here.

Elections 2019 • 23 May 19

Kevin Doran said Catholics should ask themselves where candidates and political parties stand on key questions

Bishop asks voters to consider impact of divorce change

A Catholic bishop has said that Catholic voters and other electors must consider whether the proposed constitutional change on divorce might further weaken the social commitment to marriage.

Ireland • 23 May 19

Dr Brendan Leahy lamented there has been too little discussion about next Friday's divorce referendum

Bishop calls for creation of marriage support agency

The Catholic bishop of Limerick has said consideration should be given to establishing an agency specifically dedicated to the promotion of healthy marriages and to support marriages which are in trouble.

Elections 2019 • 20 May 19

Bishop Brendan Leahy said there has been too little discussion about the upcoming divorce referendum

Dedicated marriage support agency 'must be considered'

The Catholic bishop of Limerick, Dr Brendan Leahy, has said consideration should be given to establishing an agency specifically dedicated to the promotion of healthy marriages, and to support marriages which are in trouble.

Munster • 20 May 19

Bishops say exercising the European franchise has rarely been more important

Bishops urge people to vote in European elections

Ireland's Catholic bishops have urged citizens, North and South, to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Elections 2019 • 20 May 19

Archbishop Clarke was speaking at the Church of Ireland Synod in Derry

Archbishop Clarke warns of the dangers of populism

Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Richard Clarke has warned that populism is imperiling the very roots of democracy and highlighted the dangers of populism not only abroad but also in Ireland.

Ireland • 16 May 19