Law « Thurles Information

Approval Secured To Establish New Office For EU Criminal Justice Cooperation.

Irish Cabinet approval has been secured for priority drafting of the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation Office) Bill 2025, which will establish the Criminal Justice International Cooperation Office and set out its powers in line with the EU e-Evidence Regulation and Directive.

The EU e-Evidence Package allows authorities in one EU Member State to issue an order to produce electronic evidence needed for a criminal investigation to an online service provider, based in another EU Member State.

In 2018, the European Commission estimated that electronic evidence was relevant in 85% of criminal investigations and that 55% of all criminal investigations required a request by the investigating authorities to service providers across borders (i.e. based in another jurisdiction).

The e-Evidence Package will regulate this practice and apply the same rules to all online service providers across the EU, providing legal certainty and clarity for businesses and law enforcement.

The establishment of the Criminal Justice International Cooperation Office will provide a cohesive approach to digital regulation in the criminal justice space by centralising the necessary skills and expertise, and ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework based around a single regulator.

This approach is further strengthened by government approval to incorporate other international co-operation instruments, such as the European Investigation Order Directive, into the implementation of the EU e-Evidence Package.

Driver Arrested Following Garda Chase In Thurles.

Tipperary Roads Policing Unit, while carrying out Pro Active patrols in the Tipperary Central area yesterday evening, spotted occupants of a motor vehicle acting suspiciously in Thurles.

The vehicle, when requested by Gardai to halt, failed to do so, and proceeded to continue on driving dangerously when pursued.

The vehicle eventually was brought to a halt with the occupants attempting to escape on foot. Same were apprehended following pursuit by Gardaí.

The driver was later formerly arrested on suspicion of ‘Dangerous Driving’ and ‘Drug Driving’ having failed a roadside Drug Test.
A quantity of suspected Cocaine and Cannabis were also found, before the vehicle was seized, when it was discovered that the driver held no current Motor Insurance or Driving Licence.

Gardaí state that following this arrest, investigations are now continuing.

Attestation Of 120 New Gardaí Welcomed.

Further intake of Garda recruits will enter the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary next week.

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan T.D. has welcomed the attestation of 120 new members of An Garda Síochána, at an attestation ceremony in the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary today.

The new Garda members will now be assigned by the Commissioner, to Garda Divisions throughout the country, where they will begin their careers in An Garda Síochána.

Speaking at the Garda College today, Minister O’Callaghan said: “My focus is on ensuring Ireland is a safer place for everyone. Making sure that An Garda Siochana is at full-strength is a core part of that. This Government has made a commitment, and we will recruit at least 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years.
I am pleased that a further 170 recruits will enter the Garda College this coming Monday 9th June.”

Of the 120 attesting today, 89 are men and 31 are women.

Minister O’Callaghan added: “I want to congratulate our new Garda members as they attest from the Garda College and join their new stations across the country. Some 74 of the new Members (61.6%) will be deployed across the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
For each new Garda attesting today, this is a milestone that marks the beginning of a fulfilling career dedicated to protecting the community and to public service.
That strong relationship between our Gardaí and the community is not the norm in many countries and it is something we must never take for granted. I know that each one of these Gardaí will continue in this great tradition”.

Irish Deportation – Charter Flight Removes 35 People To Nigeria.

Today (Thursday June 5th) the Department of Justice announced the completion of a forced deportation operation, to Nigeria, latter officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria and most populous country in West Africa.

Deportation orders were enforced against 35 people (30 adults and 5 children) who have been removed from Ireland by charter flight. The children removed were all part of family units.

This is the third operation conducted since the recommencement of charter flights for deportations in February of this year. Access to these services has significantly increased the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce deportation orders and step up immigration enforcement.

Charter flights are used in addition to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances where a group of people are being removed to the same destination. These operations are conducted under a contract, signed by the State in November 2024, for the provision of charter aircraft.

Two charter flights already conducted this year have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders. This operation brings the number of people removed by charter flight to 106. Additionally, 54 deportation orders have been enforced on commercial flights and 23 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left Ireland unescorted so far in 2025.

The latest people concerned were Nigerian nationals and the flight left Dublin Airport on Wednesday night, before landing in Lagos this Thursday morning.

Irish Government Approval Secured For Findings Of Review Of Opt-in Protocol.

Irish Government approval secured for the findings of the Review of Ireland’s opt-in Protocol on the area of freedom, security and justice (Protocol 21).

The findings of the Review, a legal mechanism that is part of the Treaties of the European Union and which uniquely provides for Ireland to be able to opt-into measures that relate to the area of freedom, security and justice on a case-by-case basis; has today been published.

Protocol 21, together with Protocol 19 and Protocol 20, provide Ireland with flexibility in its approach to European integration in potentially politically sensitive areas and allows for a pragmatic approach to its engagement with the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ).

The review, which is available HERE, was undertaken by the Department of Justice and informed by detailed statistical analysis of relevant legislation, internal and external consultations, and by a targeted consultation process with a range of key stakeholders, facilitated by the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA).

The Review recommends that Ireland continue to be covered by Protocol 21. It also recommends that greater adherence be given to the undertaking in Declaration No. 56, which was made by Ireland at the time of the negotiation of the Protocol, and which commits to Irelands participating, to the maximum extent possible, in all measure covered by the Protocol.

The Review’s headline recommendations, approved by Government, are that:

Ireland should continue to be covered by the terms of Protocol 21.
That greater adherence be given to the undertaking in Declaration No. 56 to the Treaties to exercise Ireland’s right under Article 3 of Protocol 21 to take part in JHA measures to the maximum extent possible.
The review also recommends the following additional actions that the Department of Justice should consider further:
To participate in Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) measures by default, opting out only where concrete and well-defined national interests are at stake.
To undertake a comprehensive, retrospective review of all the Protocol 21-related measures in which we do not participate and determine whether we can accede to these measures or not.
To consider, to the extent practicable, mirroring via domestic legislation those EU measures which it has not opted into due to administrative constraints.
To explore the possibility of joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
To explore the creation of a specialised body to facilitate the processing of mutual assistance and mutual recognition requests in a more efficient way.