Morning briefing – local Irish news
Irish Times - Dublin bin ban delay - Dublin City Council has postponed the “bag-free” street rubbish rollout in Stoneybatter, Broadstone and parts of Phibsborough until October. The ban is already in place elsewhere, requiring use of new waste compactors at local hubs instead of plastic sacks.
- Disposable barbecues
-
The NPWS and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will ask retailers to voluntarily suspend sales of disposable barbecues amid wildfire risks, following a blaze in Co Kerry.
-
Covid travel fines appeal refused
-
The Supreme Court refused a further appeal by Nicolae and Florin Mazarache over €2,000 fixed-penalty notices issued after they were stopped at Dublin Airport in April 2021 while travelling to Spain.
-
Former UL president injunction
-
Prof Kerstin Mey secured a High Court order halting any new UL investigation into allegations she misled the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, pending a full hearing.
-
Carlow College closure backlash
-
Campaigners called the decision to close Carlow College and not integrate it into SETU a “smash and grab.” The 1782-founded liberal arts college (about 600 students) plans a phased closure through August 2028.
-
CHI apology over child’s death
-
Children’s Health Ireland apologised in the High Court for care failures after a four-year-old died hours after presenting with a rash at Tallaght University Hospital; the family settled their case. The child and family remain anonymous by court order.
-
Legal aid dispute widens
-
Family lawyers warn the criminal legal aid dispute could spill into civil legal aid, affecting domestic-violence and child-custody cases. Practitioners met outside Dolphin House and will write to the Minister for Justice seeking pay and reform.
-
Garda Reserve shortfall
-
Only 37 Garda Reserve members were appointed last year against a target of 380; the force now has 308 reserves (down from 319), casting doubt on a pledge to reach 1,000 by 2026.
-
Tipperary murder charges
-
A woman (40) and a girl (17) were charged with the murder of Scarlett Faulkner (29), who suffered critical head injuries near Birdhill on March 21 and died on April 13. Charges were brought in Nenagh District Court.
-
Tusla demand surge
- Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan highlighted record child protection and welfare referrals of 106,444 last year (43,596 in 2015), stressing resource needs while avoiding conflict with the agency’s primary funder.
Key themes - Pressures on justice and policing: legal aid tensions and weak Garda Reserve recruitment. - Strain on public services: record child protection referrals and scrutiny of hospital care. - Policy and governance moves: urban waste reforms delayed, wildfire mitigation measures, higher education restructuring, and governance issues at UL.