Morning Briefing – Irish Times
-
Cork murder trial: A 17-year-old denies murdering postman and father-of-five Barry Daly but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Daly’s partner described finding him with catastrophic injuries outside their home.
-
Deportation orders lapse: The High Court awarded legal costs to two Somali nationals after their return orders became moot when the State failed to enforce them within the six-month statutory period.
-
Road safety bill delayed: Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney faces criticism after the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) Bill was pushed to after the summer recess, amid a rising road death toll (100 so far, 10 more than last year).
-
Fire risk and barbecues: Following Tesco’s move, retailers are urged to stop selling disposable barbecues during a status orange high forest fire risk warning, which has been extended and may be prolonged further.
-
Digital ID concerns: Civil liberties groups warn Ireland’s new public services digital wallet app, tied to PPS numbers and piloting with 10,000 users next week, raises significant security and privacy issues under EU rules.
-
Legal aid warning: Family law solicitors may withdraw from legal aid cases within weeks over pay and reform disputes, potentially affecting new cases on maintenance, custody, guardianship, and domestic violence.
-
MV Matthew costs: The State cannot recoup €16m spent maintaining the cocaine-smuggling ship MV Matthew, now sold and departing Cork for Bulgaria. Tánaiste Simon Harris is being pressed to review costs of retaining such vessels.
-
E-scooter policy: With a ministerial meeting due Monday, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says strict regulation will apply if e-scooters aren’t banned. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Seán Canney have signalled support for a blanket ban due to head injuries.
-
Vetting scandal link: The High Court ordered the winding up of Even Better Value Enterprises Ltd, tied to a forged Garda vetting certificate scandal, over a €700,000 debt to a director; a liquidator has been appointed.
-
Unauthorised housing: A judge approved demolishing 29 modular homes built without planning near Brittas, Co Dublin, and ordered the developer and site owners to reinstate the site and cover South Dublin County Council and a resident’s legal costs.