Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

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The bill is tied to the EU Migration & Asylum Pact which will come into force across the EU in June

Asylum system reform imminent after IP bill passed

The International Protection Bill 2026 has concluded its passage through the Oireachtas.

Ireland • 15 Apr

View of someone sleeping on the pavement, showing the bottom of their shoes, with someone else walking past

124 people died while homeless in 2022 - HRB

124 people died while homeless in 2022, according to figures released by the Health Research Board.

Ireland • 15 Apr

Report warns of unlawful decisions on homeless families

Newly homeless families face unlawful decision-making by local authorities as pressure on emergency accommodation intensifies, according to the Mercy Law Resource Centre.

Ireland • 14 Apr

Pope Leo standing before Microphones with a two flags behind him

Trump-Vatican row intensifies as Pope Leo heads to Africa

As Pope Leo XIV sets out on a 10-day visit to Africa, divisions between the Vatican and the US administration under President Donald Trump have intensified.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Apr

Forensic staff working under a tented enclosure - pic credit: ODAIT

Additional 36 infant remains recovered at Tuam site

An additional 36 infant remains have been recovered from the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam in Co Galway, as excavations continue.

Connacht • 10 Apr

Childline sees spike in contacts over Easter weekend

Common themes among those who contacted the helpline included mental and emotional health, and family relationships.

Education • 08 Apr

Over 17,300 homeless last month, according to new figures

The number of people in emergency accommodation rose again last month to 17,308.

Ireland • 27 Mar

Call for changes to address early childcare place demand

A survey has sound more than half of adults do not think the Government is doing enough to address the acute shortage of early years places for children nationwide, with a Montessori owner calling for changes to help address waiting lists.

Education • 26 Mar

Bahá'í community calls for support for man held in Iran

A member of the Bahá'í community in Ireland has expressed concern over what she has described as torture, interrogation and mock executions that her cousin is enduring in Iran.

Middle East • 25 Mar

Academics object to development on mother and baby site

Human rights academics have written to An Coimisiún Pleanála expressing their objection to the construction of a large-scale residential development on the site of the Bessborough Mother and Baby institution.

Munster • 25 Mar