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Donncha O’Connell

@donnchalaw.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.2K following 1.7K posts

Law academic living in the west of Ireland. Interested in law, politics, history, theatre, music, books, art, people and dogs…not in that order.

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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Law to prevent questioning of rape victims in court on sexual history ‘is not working’ - report by Dr Sinéad Ring, Maynooth University. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
irishtimes.com
Law to prevent questioning of rape victims in court on sexual history ‘is not working’
Study also reveals defence bids to cross-examine complainants over social media use, including dating apps
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations. By Lord Carlile of Berriew, Lord Anderson of Ipswich and Sir Max Hill KC - former Independent Reviewers of Terrorism Legislation in the UK. www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
lawgazette.co.uk
The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations
Britain should not be abandoning one of its greatest post-war achievements.
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Galway Advertiser @galwayadvertiser.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
With the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s death approaching next year, Music for Galway’s 45th International Concert Season is inspired by classical music’s German revolutionary www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
advertiser.ie
The National Symphony Orchestra will perform in Cellissimo
With the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s death approaching next year, Music for Galway’s 45th International Concert Season is inspired by classical music’s German revolutionary.
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
John Creedon @johncreedon.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
1970s & 80s Ireland is the setting for my new memoir - This Boy's Voice - as I negotiate Boarding School, Boot Boys, Broadcasting, Babies, Relationships & Rathmines! A story of failure & frolics on the journey home to me. Now available to pre-order. I hope you enjoy. Thank you.
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trial of live facial recognition in London stations leads to a false positive and no arrests. Freedom of information request finds six-month trial cost £320,000, used almost 100 police hours and led to just one – incorrect – alert. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Trial of live facial recognition in London stations leads to a false positive and no arrests
Freedom of information request finds six-month trial cost £320,000, used almost 100 police hours and led to just one – incorrect – alert
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Dónall Ó Braonáin: Cén uair a shéidfear an fheadóg ar Patrick O’Donovan? Is é nádúr an chluiche go mbíonn teannas áirithe idir an aicme pholaitiúil agus na meáin ach rud eile é aire na meán a bheith chomh glórach sin faoi na meáin phoiblí. tuairisc.ie/cen-uair-a-s...
tuairisc.ie
Cén uair a shéidfear an fheadóg ar Patrick O’Donovan?
Is é nádúr an chluiche go mbíonn teannas áirithe idir an aicme pholaitiúil agus na meáin ach rud eile é aire na meán a bheith chomh glórach sin faoi na meáin phoiblí
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Very excited for Emmet Kirwan's new play, What If We Get To Be Happy, coming to Dublin next February. You can book tickets now (which you probably should, as it will sell out.)
projectartscentre.ie
What If We Get To Be Happy by Emmet Kirwan - Project Arts Centre
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Colin Sheridan: When an emergency is permanent. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Colin Sheridan: When an emergency is permanent
On September 2, 1939, the day after Germany invaded Poland, the Oireachtas had declared that a national emergency existed. Thirty-seven years later the Oireachtas finally revoked it, only to declare a...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Figures suggest new criminal legal aid model a ‘thorough yellow packing’ of solicitors’ services. Data supplied by Minister for Justice show 75% of cases were dealt with in one appearance under new system and 99% within five dates. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
irishtimes.com
Figures suggest new legal aid model a ‘thorough yellow packing’ of solicitors’ services
Data supplied by Minister for Justice show 75% of cases dealt with in one appearance under new system and 99% within five dates
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Fergal Keane: Gavin Bazunu’s lone act of resistance will be remembered in the broken alleys of Gaza www.independent.ie/comment/ferg...
independent.ie
Fergal Keane: Gavin Bazunu’s lone act of resistance will be remembered in the broken alleys of Gaza
You can be familiar with what war does — to people, to buildings — and believe you have seen the worst. Then one day you are on a helicopter with the Jordanian military and you land inside the Gaza St...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Anger grows at ‘zombie’ legal aid certificates. Striking criminal legal aid solicitors accuse Jim O’Callaghan, the justice minister, of skewing court figures to suggest they are returning to work. www.thetimes.com/world/irelan...
thetimes.com
Anger grows at ‘zombie’ legal aid certificates
Striking solicitors accuse Jim O’Callaghan, the justice minister, of skewing court figures to suggest they are returning to work
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026
“The Courts Service has acknowledged the negative effects of the dispute. “The situation with the criminal legal aid scheme is having widespread impact across the criminal system with case adjournments continuing due to no legal representation,” it said.” www.thetimes.com/article/2c41...
thetimes.com
Anger grows at ‘zombie’ legal aid certificates
Striking solicitors accuse Jim O’Callaghan, the justice minister, of skewing court figures to suggest they are returning to work
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Staff at the University of Galway are set to begin industrial action next month following an overwhelming vote by members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT ) in favour of action up to and including strike action. www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
advertiser.ie
University of Galway staff to begin industrial action on World Teachers’ Day
Staff at the University of Galway are set to begin industrial action next month following an overwhelming vote by members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT ) in favour of action up ...
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Study: “Under-resourcing across the criminal justice system emerged as the top offender as the cause of delays”. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
irishexaminer.com
Marie Keenan: Blaming defence solicitors for justice woes is unfair
Our research shows that blaming defence solicitors for the ills of the criminal justice system, including adjournments and delays, seems to be grossly unfair, writes professor Marie Keenan
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“If the world sees that Ireland refused to play Israel, they could get kicked out of UEFA and it could start a chain of events.”
independent.ie
‘It’s not too late’ – Trade unionist Mick Lynch calls on Ireland players to boycott Israel games at Siptu event in Dublin
British-Irish trade unionist Mick Lynch has urged the Ireland footballers to “make the right choice” ahead of their upcoming double-header of Nations League fixtures against Israel.
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Fianna Fáil accused of attempt to divert attention from Jim O’Callaghan with CCPC request arising from criminal legal aid dispute www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
Fianna Fáil accused of attempt to divert attention from Jim O’Callaghan with CCPC request
Matt Carthy says seeking competition watchdog’s views on legal aid dispute is a diversion
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Spot the Blueshirt!
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Policing & Community Safety Authority @pcsaireland.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We are here at the PCSA office for a meeting between the Policing and Community Safety Authority and the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly. The meeting is not open to the public, but it will be live streamed on our website from 2:30pm on www.pcsaireland.ie
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Trump’s UN speech was delusional and dangerous - Kenneth Roth www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trump’s UN speech was delusional and dangerous | Kenneth Roth
It is sad and dangerous that at such a perilous moment, the United States is saddled with a president like Trump
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Hannah Daly @hannahdaly.ie · 24/09/2026
Minister Darragh O'Brien has announced a €2000 oil boiler scrappage scheme for older boilers, on top of grants up to €12,500 for heat pumps. I spoke on Morning Ireland about the latest incentive to get Irish homes off heating oil. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
rte.ie
Govt to propose boiler scrappage scheme
Kieran McCarthy, Director of KMC Homes in Cork, and Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy at University College Cork, discuss the decision by Energy minister Darragh O'Brien to bring a boiler s...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Civil War politics?
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The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 23/09/2026
irishtimes.com
Connemara’s Killary Fjord named as top global travel destination by Lonely Planet
The inland waterway sits between some of Connacht’s tallest mountains
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Marie Keenan: Blaming defence solicitors for justice woes is unfair. Research shows that blaming defence solicitors for the ills of the criminal justice system, including adjournments and delays, seems to be grossly unfair. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
irishexaminer.com
Marie Keenan: Blaming defence solicitors for justice woes is unfair
Our research shows that blaming defence solicitors for the ills of the criminal justice system, including adjournments and delays, seems to be grossly unfair, writes professor Marie Keenan
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
‘Completely arrogant approach’: O’Callaghan accused of ‘waffle’ amid ongoing legal aid row. Opposition parties call on Minister for Justice to attend Oireachtas committee to discuss ongoing feud with solicitors. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
irishtimes.com
‘Completely arrogant approach’: O’Callaghan accused of ‘waffle’ amid ongoing legal aid row
Opposition parties call on Minister for Justice to attend Oireachtas committee to discuss ongoing feud with solicitors
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Criminal courts face ‘shutdown’ if legal aid dispute not resolved, justice committee told. Law Society and Bar Council urge Minister for Justice to move to break impasse. www.irishtimes.com/politics/oir...
irishtimes.com
Criminal courts face ‘shutdown’ if legal aid dispute not resolved, justice committee told
Law Society and Bar Council urge Minister for Justice to move to break impasse
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 23/09/2026
Lorcan Sirr: Irish people don’t want to live in ‘mostly awful’ apartments. Here are 5 ways to fix them
irishtimes.com
Lorcan Sirr: Irish people don’t want to live in ‘mostly awful’ apartments. Here are 5 ways to fix them
Apartment living was historically seen as ‘unnatural’ in Ireland. But attitudes won’t change until standards do
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Colin Harvey @cjharvey1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Look forward to this ‘in conversation’ event with Philippe Sands KC at No Alibis bookshop next week. Further information here: noalibis.com/event/philip...
Look forward to this ‘in conversation’ event with Philippe Sands KC at No Alibis bookshop next
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
US-sanctioned international court judge urges Ireland to take a stand. Nicolas Guillou said the European project was in grave danger if tariff fears outweighed the importance of fighting crimes against humanity. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
irishtimes.com
US-sanctioned international court judge urges Ireland to take a stand
Nicolas Guillou said the European project was in grave danger if tariff fears outweighed the importance of fighting crimes against humanity
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Criminal legal aid solicitors warn services withdrawal set to run into new legal year. Solicitors tell senior judges the Minister for Justice has ‘failed to engage’ meaningfully over legal aid payments. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
irishtimes.com
Criminal legal aid solicitors warn services withdrawal set to run into new legal year
Solicitors tell senior judges the Minister for Justice has ‘failed to engage’ meaningfully over legal aid payments
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The Journal @thejournal.ie · 20/09/2026
Researchers from University of Galway are part of an international team working to restore deep-sea coral reefs damaged by bottom trawling by installing artificial reefs. The research has seen 23 artificial reefs placed on the deep seabed off the south-west Porcupine Bank. jrnl.ie/7167699
jrnl.ie
‘Encouraging’ results as University of Galway joins international mission to restore coral reefs
The research has seen 23 artificial reefs placed on the deep seabed off the south-west Porcupine Bank.
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Ed O’Loughlin @edoloughlin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I just signed the petition to #stopthegame - will you add your name too? No to a change of venue. No to forcing players to play a game they don't want to play. No to sportswashing. No to bending for genocidal murderers. my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe... @uplift.ie
my.uplift.ie
Petition to #stopthegame
I just signed the petition to #stopthegame - will you add your name too? No to a change of venue. No to forcing players to play a game they don't want to play. No to sportswashing. No to bending for g...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
‘We must speak out’ – President Connolly voices fears over UN founding principles being ‘ignored’. www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
independent.ie
‘We must speak out’ – President Connolly voices fears over UN principles being ‘ignored’
President Catherine Connolly fears the founding principles of the United Nations are being “completely ignored” as wars are being “waged” all over the world.  Ms Connolly was speaking as she delivere...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Paul Rouse: Sport is our antidote to rhetoric and cruelty www.irishexaminer.com/sport-column...
irishexaminer.com
Paul Rouse: Sport is our antidote to rhetoric and cruelty
It can be seen around athletics tracks and soccer fields, in GAA dressing rooms and in the gyms and pools of Ireland. In these shared spaces, people from different parts of the world (and their childr...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Documentary on Mr Justice Séamus Henchy now available in podcast form via this link: www.irishlegal.com/articles/doc...
irishlegal.com
Documentary on Mr Justice Séamus Henchy now available in podcast form
On 16 September Clare FM broadcast a new documentary examining the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Mr Justice Séamus Henchy, one of the most influential and respected judges in modern...
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Criminal defence solicitors vs Jim O’Callaghan: Stakes raised during an unusual day in Bray. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
irishtimes.com
Criminal defence solicitors vs Jim O’Callaghan: Stakes raised during an unusual day in Bray
Some solicitors are quietly signing up to the Minister for Justice’s new payments system – but few will speak publicly about it
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fiosrú investigation finds gardaí acted appropriately prior to fatal road traffic collision on M9 in Kildare. www.fiosru.ie/news-and-pub...
fiosru.ie
Fiosrú investigation finds gardaí acted appropriately prior to fatal road traffic collision on M9 in Kildare
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Prof Shane Darcy: West Bank is occupied, not disputed, territory. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
irishtimes.com
West Bank is occupied, not disputed, territory
The International Court of Justice held in July 2024 that Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Data centre proposed for Mayo has planning permission overturned based on climate concerns www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
irishtimes.com
Data centre opposed by author Sally Rooney has planning overturned on climate concerns
US firm had chosen Mayo because of electricity constraints around Dublin
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Tonight’s RTÉ Investigates programme by @ritaoreilly.bsky.social on alleged victimisation of whistleblowers in An Garda Síochána raises very disturbing issues about the internal culture of the organisation and the degree to which problems identified and amplified a decade ago have been…
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
TJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · 16/09/2026
There's a lot to be said about this case, but a key point is that this was discovered purely by accident. Over 2,000 abusive searches of police records went undetected. How many others are there?
irishtimes.com
‘Her profile picture isn’t too shabby’: Disgraced ex-Garda supplied Pulse data on female motorists to friend
Court heard data offences came to light as part of separate Garda investigation into Shane Flanagan inciting others to rape a colleague
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An Taisce @antaisce.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
President Connolly said that while the Irish government had declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency seven years ago – followed in 2019 by a commitment to take action – “regrettably, the stark statistics coming from a wide range of sources tell us that that action has not taken place.”
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Orla Hegarty @orla-hegarty.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
📚 ‘Lorcan Sirr examines seven generations of one Irish family to tell a wider story of land, #housing & power in Ireland’ .. this looks like a great read, out next week www.tudublin.ie/explore/news...
tudublin.ie
TU Dublin Academic Explores Ireland’s Housing History in New Book
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Wonder if associate membership of the EU (for Canada) is a bit like a ‘situationship’…asking for a friend…literally.
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Laoch ar lár: Author and critic Bonnie Greer dies aged 77. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Bonnie Greer: British-American author and critic dies at 77
Her husband says the playwright and cultural and political commentator died after a brief illness.
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Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
"In Dublin alone, the Bar of Ireland said hundreds of people who stand convicted of serious criminal offences remain in the community awaiting sentence, due to their scheduled sentence hearings being adjourned throughout the month of July."
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Yvonne Bambury, Solicitor: People who would never normally get bail are walking free because of the criminal legal aid row. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
irishtimes.com
Opinion: People who would never normally get bail walking free because of the legal aid row
I am aware of at least one case where an accused, who was unrepresented in the District Court and granted bail, assaulted their partner to a degree requiring surgery within two days of being released
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
How John McGahern wrote: ‘Everything begins in a copy book. Every draft would be by hand’. The late author’s archive, about to go on show at the University of Galway, documents his working life and methods, beginning with copy books filled with his tiny writing. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
How John McGahern wrote: ‘Everything begins in a copy book. Every draft would be by hand’
The author’s archive, going on show at Galway University, charts his working life and methods, beginning with copy books filled with his tiny writing
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The Taoiseach has been told an “immediate intervention” is needed in the criminal legal aid dispute. A group representing 750 solicitors in Cork said the criminal courts “have all but ground to a halt” amid a dispute over criminal legal aid fees. www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
irishexaminer.com
Cork solicitors ask Taoiseach to intervene in criminal legal aid dispute
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan replaced a per-appearance fee with a flat rate in July, prompting hundreds of solicitors to withdraw their services
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
President Catherine Connolly will attend a memorial for women who lived and died in Galway’s Magdalene Laundry at Bohermore Cemetery this Sunday, September 13th. www.independent.ie/county/galwa...
independent.ie
President Catherine Connolly to attend Galway Magdalene Laundry memorial for first time since her election
Her appearance will come one day after she is due to meet US President Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
President Connolly expressed 'strong view' of Irish people on war and genocide to Donald Trump www.rte.ie/news/2026/09...
rte.ie
'Strong view' on war, genocide expressed, says Connolly
President Catherine Connolly has said that she conveyed to the US president the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
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