Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

Interior of a catholic church, beautifully decorated with flowers for a wedding ceremony

16% rise in attendance at Catholic marriage programmes

There was a 16% increase in the number of couples that attended marriage preparation programmes run by Accord for the Catholic Church last year.

Ireland • 13 Feb

IPAs working in 2024 earned about €544 per week - CSO

International Protection Applicants (IPAs) who had jobs in 2024 earned about €544 per week, compared to typical workers who earned around €712 per week.

Ireland • 13 Feb

Support for family in deportation process continues

A family which has been supported by hundreds of people to avoid their deportation to South Africa presented at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) yesterday.

Ireland • 13 Feb

Clonskeagh Mosque ceased operating after an incident in April last year, which led to concerns about people's safety and security

Clonskeagh Mosque reopens nine months after closure

The Clonskeagh Mosque in Dublin has officially reopened this evening, nine months after it closed.

Dublin • 12 Feb

No properties available within HAP limits in December

There were no properties available to rent within standard Housing Assistance Payment limits across the 16 areas surveyed for the latest Simon Communities Locked Out of the Market report.

Ireland • 12 Feb

Call for Government to support UK's 'Philomena Law'

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Taoiseach to engage with the British government to express Ireland's support for the proposed Philomena's Law.

Ireland • 11 Feb

The council found that women often face start choices when seeking to escape domestic violence (stock image)

Call to remove abusers from homes rather than survivors

The National Women's Council has called for stronger legal protections that would allow women and children in abusive situations to remain safely in the family home, and for perpetrators to be removed instead.

Ireland • 11 Feb

Oyekanmi family protest - pic - Ailbhe Conneely - RTE

Hundreds protest over deportation of family in Dublin

At least 300 people have protested at the Department of Justice over the deportation of a family from their community in south Dublin.

Ireland • 10 Feb

Concern over 'poor take up' of Mother and Baby scheme

Concern has been raised over "the poor take up" of the Mother and Baby Institutions redress scheme which the Special Advocate for Survivors has described as "exclusionary, poorly advertised, and re-traumatising" for many applicants.

Ireland • 05 Feb

Poverty and social exclusion key issues for Travellers

Poverty and social exclusion remain key issues for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland according to a survey, which also shows high levels of discrimination towards Travellers.

Ireland • 04 Feb