Irish Times
Top stories - Criminal legal aid dispute: Many criminal solicitors are refusing District Court work under the revised scheme (a once-off €520 fee per case), disrupting a significant number of serious cases, including rape and murder trials. Fees in higher courts rose 8%, but solicitors say the District Court change is unworkable. - Homeless evacuated from Temple Bar buildings: Residents were moved from two protected structures used by the DRHE after structural concerns, including an “unstable parapet.” The properties are linked to former Monaghan GAA manager Séamus “Banty” McEnaney. - Court orders caravans off The Great Heath: The High Court directed that more than 100 caravans must leave State land at the Great Heath of Maryborough, Portlaoise, “forthwith,” after arrivals from the Curragh Plains and the erection of a large marquee. The land is owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure. - Slane bypass challenge advances: Former attorney general John Rogers won leave to appeal the dismissal of his challenge to approval for the long-delayed N2 Slane bypass, arguing the planning board lacked sufficient environmental expertise. - Man critical after Dublin assault: A man in his 40s is in critical condition following an assault around 3:55am on Parslickstown Drive, Mulhuddart. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
Also in brief - Alleged €130,000 investment fraud: A father and son say funds they believed were being invested with Citibank were misappropriated after they transferred the money in March 2023 to a company benefiting Philip Andrews. - IFI disciplinary case: The WRC heard that Inland Fisheries Ireland moved to discipline former CEO Francis O’Donnell after an investigation found he gave inappropriate assistance to a candidate for a senior post. - Murder trial evidence: A forensic expert told the Central Criminal Court in Cork that a bloodied palm print at the home of Michael Foley (61) matched accused Daniel Hourigan (32). - Garda on trial: A 48-year-old garda denies raping his wife and child cruelty. His daughter testified about punishments and being refused bathroom access as a young child. - Wildfires in southern France: Irish holidaymaker Kim O’Connell described evacuating her family from a campsite as fast-moving fires spread in hot, windy, parched conditions.