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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Plans for domestic violence register outlined in Dáil
The Minister for Justice has outlined how the proposed domestic violence register will work. During statements on Domestic Violence in the Dáil, Minister Jim O'Callaghan said the proposed register would allow the naming of any person who is convicted on indictment of specified offences, including murder, manslaughter, or serious assault, against an intimate partner or former intimate partner, in a court judgement outlining the sentence imposed. The Minister said the judgement would be published under a domestic violence register of judgments on the Court Service website and that the sentencing Court would retain discretion on whether such a judgment should be published. He said this would be "an important safeguard" for the victim because their consent will also be required before such information is published and available to the wider public. "This, it is hoped will act not only to provide information to intimate partners of those individuals who could pose a risk to their partners safety, as was the case with the shocking and tragic death of Jennie Poole; it should also act as a deterrent to individuals from carrying out such crimes in the future. Justice is required to be administered in public," he said. Following what he described as "extensive engagement" with officials the Department of Justice, Deputy Paul McAuliffe and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, the Attorney General's Office and Mr Jason Poole, the brother of Jennie Poole - who he said was instrumental in the proposal - he expressed hope it would be known as "Jennie's Law". In 2021, Jennifer Poole, a 24-year-old mother of two, was murdered by her former partner, Gavin Murphy who had a history of abusive behaviour, including an assault on another partner. Her family have campaigned for the creation of a domestic violence registrar to be established. He added that funding has been secured for 80 additional refuge spaces with a commitment to provide 280 safe spaces by 2026. "We will see for the first time in Ireland, a network of safe accommodation as required under the Istanbul convention which will include both refuges and safe houses," he said.
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Jim O'Callaghan welcomes faster processing of planning and environmental cases
The number of planning and environment cases that have been resolved has doubled since a new fast-tracking approach was introduced in the courts. The planning and environment list was set up in December 2023 to expedite legal proceedings that were holding up housing and infrastructure projects. The Court Service's Annual Report for 2024 shows 253 planning and environmental cases were resolved last year, up from 129 in 2023, an increase of 96 per cent. Cases related to issues such as residential developments, renewable energy projects and commercial developments. READ MORE There were 108 active cases in the list when it commenced and 221 cases came in during last year. About a third of cases last year involved a development located in Dublin. Minister for Housing James Browne announced last month that he is bringing forward a Bill that would extend planning permissions to take account of delays related to judicial reviews. Speaking after the launch of the service's annual report, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the increase in the number of cases being resolved vindicated the decision to have a separate list for planning and environmental matters. 'Before the specialist list there were important infrastructural projects that just went into the standard judicial review list and waited to be progressed,' he said. 'I welcome the fact that there is this strategic planning list that is going to expediate cases and I think we are going to see a more efficient hearing of those cases.' In January, the Construction Industry Federation estimated that 13,000 homes were being held up because of judicial reviews. 'I'm concerned that we see housing proposals delayed because of judicial reviews,' Mr O'Callaghan added. Courts Service chief executive Angela Denning said the fact that personal injuries awards had almost halved in the space of a year was attributable to new guidelines. The guidelines were introduced by the Judicial Council following new legislation in 2019 which were approved by judges in 2021. Ms Denning said the Delaney case last year had given certainty to judges in the awards they could make. This involved a case taken by a woman who challenged the €3,000 award made to her after she fell on a footpath in April 2019 in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. The case went to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that the personal injuries guidelines were binding and had legal effect. As a result, personal injury awards went from €256 million in 2023 to €135 million last year. Circuit Court awards, capped at €60,000, dropped from €16 million to less than €13 million, and District Court awards fell from €2.2 million to €1.5 million.
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Conor McGregor accuser given extra 180 days to serve summons over alleged US sex assault
The summons was originally issued by Florida's Southern District Court on January 15 and was valid for service within 120 days of that date. Florida based lawyer James R. Dunn, who represents McGregor's accused, forwarded the summons to the Central Office of the High Court after it was issued. An agreement under the Hague convention allows for civil summons issued by a US court to be served by agents instructed by Ireland's Court Service. It's understood an Irish court official subsequently confirmed receipt of the summons and has instructed agents in this country to serve the document on McGregor. However, the summons has yet to be served on McGregor. According to case filings, Mr Dunn applied to the Southern District Court earlier this week for an extension of 60 days. Approving the application on Wednesday, the court ruled: 'The time of service for the amended complaint and summons … is extended 180 days from the date this order is entered. 'This order is of no moment or effect on the 12-month timeline for service by the Irish Garda Síochána of the defendant on Irish soil. The Sunday World revealed last week that Irish court officials had instructed agents in this country to locate McGregor and serve a summons on him, alleging sexual battery, issued by a US court. The summons, once served, will require McGregor to finally respond to a claim he attempted to orally and anally sexually assault a woman in a rest room in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on June 9 -10, 2023. ADVERTISEMENT The US case alleges McGregor sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Jane Doe in legal documents, on June 9, 2023, as the Miami Heat played the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The document continues that McGregor 'intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact.. without her consent or permission'. It states she is seeking in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of the court of $75,000. It also says the identity of the complainant, referred to in the complaint as 'Jane Doe,' 'is known to McGregor; however, she wishes to maintain her anonymity … to avoid embarrassment and shame from the conduct discussed in this complaint'. The legal complaint describes her as being '49 years old, and employed as a Senior Wall Street Vice President at a high-profile financial institution'. The allegations against McGregor were investigated by police at the time and the Miami-Dade State Attorney declined to press charges against McGregor, who said the allegations were false. Police spoke to witnesses who said Jane Doe didn't show 'signs of distress' and seemed 'fine,' with the head of security stating that she went back to her seat and continued socialising with McGregor. McGregor's attorney, Barbara Llanes, previously dismissed the complaint, saying: 'After a thorough investigation at the time, the State's Attorney concluded there was no case to pursue. 'Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.'
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
US court issues summons on Conor McGregor over Miami restroom sexual assault allegations
The summons, once served, will require McGregor to respond to a claim he attempted to sexually assault a woman in a restroom in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on June 9 and 10, 2023. The summons was issued by Florida's Southern District Court on January 15 and is valid for service within 100 days of that date. In the event the summons is not served within the 100-day deadline, an extension must be sought by the woman's lawyers. It's understood Florida-based lawyer James R. Dunn, who represents McGregor's accuser, forwarded the summons to the Central Office of the High Court earlier this year. An agreement under The Hague Convention allows for a civil summons issued by a US court to be served by agents in this country once instructed by Ireland's Court Service. It's understood an Irish court official has since confirmed receipt of the summons and has instructed agents in this country to carry out service on McGregor. Contacted this week, Mr Dunn said he could not comment on the legal proceedings at this time. Once service of the summons is carried out, McGregor will have 21 days to respond to the allegations of sexual battery made against him in Florida. The US lawsuit follows on from the recent civil rape case taken against McGregor by Nikita Hand, which he lost. The US case alleges McGregor sexually assaulted a woman, identified as Jane Doe, on June 9, 2023, as the Miami Heat played the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The complaint alleges that at the end of the game, McGregor engaged in amicable conversation with Jane Doe while Kaseya Center staff and security provided the fighter with access to one or more bottles of Proper 12 Irish Whiskey and Tequila. The complaint states, it was allegedly at this stage: 'Jane Doe's acquaintance stated 'we are leaving,' and, Conor Anthony McGregor's private security or a friend of Conor Anthony McGregor stated, 'Conor told me to come get you,' and grabbed Jane Doe's wrist and led Jane Doe and the acquaintance toward the exit of the Courtside club. 'Before leaving the Courtside Club, Conor Anthony McGregor's friend or security stopped at the entrance to the men's bathroom. 'Jane Doe requested of the friend to let go of her wrist and he said, 'No, Conor will kill me if I lose you'. 'Conor Anthony McGregor then exited the men's bathroom and grabbed Jane Doe's hand or wrist and led her into the men's restroom with her acquaintance to follow.' The complaint continues: 'At that point Conor Anthony McGregor led Jane Doe to the stall, but Kaseya Center Staff and Security would not let Jane Doe's acquaintance into the stall. 'The loud DJ music in the Courtside club and in the bathroom, area made communicating difficult. The complaint also alleges that while Jane Doe was using the toilet, McGregor 'appeared to Jane Doe to be under the influence of intoxicants and out of control' and that he attempted to force her into oral sex. 'Thereafter, Jane Doe pulled her pants up and stood up and attempted to exit the stall,' the complaint states. The filed legal papers then claim the UFC fighter 'slammed Jane Doe against the wall face first and put Jane Doe in an arm lock' before allegedly attempting to 'forcefully' have anal sex with her. 'Jane Doe returned to the Courtside club as she was waiting on her acquaintance to leave the venue.' The document continues that McGregor 'intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact' and it states she is seeking in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of the court of $75,000. It also says the identity of the complainant, referred to in the complaint as 'Jane Doe,' 'is known to McGregor; however, she wishes to maintain her anonymity … to avoid embarrassment and shame from the conduct discussed in this complaint'. The legal complaint describes her as being '49 years old, and employed as a Senior Wall Street vice president at a high-profile financial institution'. The allegations against McGregor were investigated by police at the time and the Miami-Dade State Attorney declined to press charges against McGregor, who said the allegations were false. Police said they spoke to witnesses who said Jane Doe didn't show 'signs of distress' and seemed 'fine,' with the head of security stating that she went back to her seat and continued socialising with McGregor. McGregor's attorney, Barbara Llanes, previously dismissed the complaint, saying: 'After a thorough investigation at the time, the State's Attorney concluded there was no case to pursue. 'Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.'
