Law « Thurles Information

New Contract Sought For Automated Border Control eGates at Dublin Airport.

A new contract for Automated Border Control “eGates” services, for passport control in Dublin Airport, has been announced, which will see the upgrading of the existing eGates.

Automated Border Control eGates provide highly secure automated passport validation and security checks on passengers for passport holders from the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK, who are over 18 years of age; same being a “self-service” type channel to clear immigration control.

Last year, over 4 million passengers arriving at Dublin Airport, and were processed by the eGates operated by the Department’s Border Management Unit.
Securing this contract means that Dublin Airport staff can continue to process, Irish, EU and other eligible travellers, as swiftly as possible, while conducting stringent security checks on passengers and their documents.

We are informed that utilising new technology, such as Automated Border Control eGates, is paramount to delivering a secure, effective, and modern Immigration Service.

108 Newly Attested Garda Members Emerge From Tipperary Training College.

A Garda Passing-Out ceremony took place at the Garda Training College in Templemore Co. Tipperary today, where 108 newly attested Garda members were welcomed into the Garda force.

These new Garda members have now completed their training and will be assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country.

There are currently over 14,000 Garda members now employed within the force, as per the latest available figures, each committed to building safer communities. Budget 2024, through taxpayer funding reflects this commitment to ensure that same communities remain safe and that An Garda Síochána have full resources required to operate effectively.

The budget provided by taxpayers to the Garda Commissioner, continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024.

A further batch of recruits are expected to begin training in the Garda Training College in Templemore on Monday next.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, Brought To Government.

A draft Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024 was yesterday brought to Government.
This legislation is expected to address an issue recently identified by the High Court in which the Court ruled that a child who commits murder, but turns 18 years old, before sentencing, should not be subject to the mandatory life sentence for murder.

Further to the High Court judgment of September 2nd, which held that the mandatory life sentence for murder cannot be imposed on ‘aged out’ children, legislative amendments have now been drafted in response, and now subject to Government approval.

These ammendments address the issue in principle that a person who commits the offence of murder when still a child, but is sentenced after their 18th birthday, cannot be treated unfairly compared to another child who commits the same offence, but is sentenced while still under 18 years of age; as the latter child, in this same situation, might not receive a life sentence.

A child or an ‘aged out’ child who commits murder may still receive a life sentence; however; it will no longer be a mandatory life sentence.

At its meeting of September 10th 2024, the Government agreed to proceed with the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, to address this issues, which was recently identified by the High Court.

The Bill also amends section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990, to dis-apply the mandatory minimum sentence for treason, and certain murders (e.g. of a Garda or prison officer).
An amendment to dis-apply the minimum custodial period for the offence of capital murder, to the same cohort, are also included in this Bill.

Citizenship Ceremonies At Convention Centre, Dublin, Today.

3,600 new Irish citizens will attend at Citizenship Ceremonies in the Convention Centre, Dublin.

3,600 new Irish citizens will be granted Irish citizenship in three ceremonies all taking place today, Monday September 16th, at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The Ceremonies will see applicants from 143 countries around the world, who are residing across 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.

This follows 14 such ceremonies held so far this year, with a total of 11,417 people attending and being conferred with Irish Citizenship.
The Presiding Officer at the ceremonies is retired Justice Mr Paddy McMahon, who will administer the “Declaration of Fidelity” to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the Irish State.

The Citizenship Division have introduced significant changes to speed up the applications process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting.

Over the last 2 years the Citizenship Division has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023. Already in 2024 nearly 16,000 decisions have been made in the first half of this year.

Last year, the Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants, with 15 held over the course of the year. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022.

Including today, September 16th, the total number of Ceremonies held so far this year is 17, surpassing the number of ceremonies hosted in 2023. Further Ceremonies are being planned for later in the year.

New Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the Irish State and to respect its democratic values.
These new Irish citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that enhance the overall capabilities of the labour market and the Irish economy.

First Of 18 Domestic Violence Refuges To Open Today.

First of 18 domestic, sexual & gender based violence refuges will open today.

The €6.5m facility consists of 12 family units with provision for wraparound services.
It is the first newly-built Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) refuge to be delivered under the Zero-Tolerance strategy.
Security and privacy for service users are core design principles.

The first new, €6.5 million domestic violence refuge will be opened today in Co. Wexford.

The Capital Assistance Fund and Cuan, funded by the taxpayer, will continue to support this new refuge, which consists of 12 family units. Wexford is the first of 18 such priority locations to complete construction on this new domestic violence refuge.

The facility was developed by Wexford Women’s Refuge in co-operation with Wexford County Council. It is located close to Wexford Rape Crisis Centre, which will ensure the provision of wraparound services for the women and children who are forced to use the refuge.

The building contains a total of 12 family units, including a fully accessible disability unit. It replaces the existing four-unit facility in the town, which is no longer considered fit for purpose. Each unit in the new facility contains a bedroom, kitchen/living area, and bathroom, and can accommodate a family of one mother and her children.

The building was designed and built in line with the Department of Housing’s ‘Project Brief Design Guidelines for Domestic Violence Accommodation’. This document incorporates Safe Ireland’s guidance on DSGBV accommodation design as outlined in its ‘Safe Spaces’ project. Security and privacy for service users are core design principles.

The primary purpose of this new facility is to provide refuge and respite accommodation to domestic, sexual and gender based violence victims and their families. In addition, the facility has been designed as a modern space that can facilitate a range of wraparound and ancillary services, including a therapeutic space, family room, and a common room.

The facility will also serve as a hub to facilitate community and outreach initiatives to support vulnerable families in the community. Wexford Women’s Refuge is a long-time recipient of funding via Tusla and the Department of Justice.

Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, which was established in January of this year, has taken over the administration of all funding for the refuge.

In March of this year (2024) some 43 organisations were deemed successful for additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, following an evaluation process conducted by Tusla, with Tipperary Rape Crisis Centre receiving €32,000.00 of an extra €6.3 million of provided funding.