Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

father of the catholic church at the altar holds the host and the chalice to impart communion to the parishioners

Catholic Church in Ireland urge people to return to Mass

The Catholic Church in Ireland is urging parishioners who may have ceased attending mass during the Covid-19 pandemic to return.

Ireland • 31 Aug 25

Inadequate accommodation for trafficking victims - IHREC

The IHREC has expressed concern to the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings over a "highly inadequate provision" of accommodation for victims of trafficking in Ireland.

Ireland • 28 Aug 25

Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Rachel Morrogh stressed continued education on consent

DRCC stress importance of 'enthusiastic' consent

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has stressed the importance of continued education and open dialogue to foster a culture of "enthusiastic and respectful" consent.

Ireland • 28 Aug 25

small boy kneeling while showing back to camera with visible feet.

Parents frustrated as child cannot access AON service

The parents of a six-year-old boy have expressed frustration and concern after they received a letter from the HSE stating that the Assessment of Need service in their area was closed in March due to no psychologists being in post.

Ireland • 20 Aug 25

rows of wooden pews ~ shot with canon eos rp

Commission questioned over Presbyterian report concerns

Former Alliance leader and member of the House of Lords John Alderdice has questioned whether the Charities Commission in Northern Ireland is fit for purpose in comments regarding a recent report which raises serious concerns about the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Ireland • 22 Aug 25

Delays on child protection exposed in HIQA inspection

A child in Dublin was placed on a wait list for over 14 months, after a referral of sexual abuse was made to Tusla's Child Protection and Welfare Services.

Ireland • 18 Aug 25

IPAS centre provider failed to note welfare risks - HIQA

The provider of an International Protection accommodation facility in Dublin failed to identify residents' sleeping arrangements as a welfare risk, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 15 Aug 25

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan speaks to the media in Dublin city centre

Minors behind many attacks on Indian citizens - minister

The Minister for Justice has said that many of the recent attacks on members of the Indian community appear to have been carried out by young people which, he said, poses a particular challenge within the criminal justice system.

Ireland • 14 Aug 25

Number of asylum seekers receiving daily allowance rises

The number of International Protection Applicants who received a Daily Expense Allowance (DEA) rose by 7,000 last year, compared to 2023.

Ireland • 14 Aug 25

Call for hate speech to be removed from online platforms

A group representing 22 civil society organisations has called on technology companies to monitor, remove and prevent the spread of hate speech and incitement on their platforms.

Ireland • 13 Aug 25