Department of Justice Ireland

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan shaking hands with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn. Text reads, "Meeting: Progress on Joint Framework on Legacy".

Minister Jim O’Callaghan today met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn to discuss and update each other on shared priorities of security cooperation, addressing the legacy of the Troubles and supporting the work of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3MKMC4m

Today saw the launch of an innovative new online Child Maintenance Calculator. The calculator is intended to help parents in coming to arrangements on child maintenance payments.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tUijJ6

Today marks 10 years since the creation of Ireland’s national DNA database. An event to mark the anniversary took place at Forensic Science Ireland HQ.

Read more: https://bit.ly/47a1Y9i

📣 Closing Tomorrow 📣

Help shape Ireland’s first National Strategy for Improving Community Safety by completing our anonymous survey.

This is an opportunity to help public service agencies and communities to work together to make communities safer.

https://bit.ly/3Zx2gTH

Minister Jim O’Callaghan signs Defamation (Amendment) Act (Commencement) Order 2026.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Minister O’Callaghan has expressed his deep sense of regret for the suffering experienced by those detained in industrial schools, and he has confirmed in the Dáil that survivors of these schools do not have a criminal record.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4sbslEa

Government has been informed of proposals to reform the criminal legal aid fee structure in the District Court. The reform will lead to greater efficiencies in the District Court and a more sustainable Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4s37G4Y

A group of people is gathered outdoors in front of a red brick building. They are breaking ground with shovels for a new DSGBV refuge facility in County Louth. The event is associated with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration in Ireland.

The sod was turned today at a new domestic violence refuge facility in County Louth.

The development, which was identified as a priority under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV), is being led by Women’s Aid Dundalk.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Osqkow

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan on Provisional Crime Statistics Year-end 2025

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan on Provisional Crime Statistics Year-end 2025

Read here: https://bit.ly/3OuJgTw

The image shows a report titled "Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism, Ireland,". The cover features a gradient background with the text "First Annual Report" prominently displayed. The logo of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, is at the bottom.

The report contains a review of progress on 2024/25 actions and objectives of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027 and makes recommendations to address challenges in implementation.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rzC32Y

Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces details of Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme

Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces details of Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Photograph of the Oireachtas. Text over the image reads, "Legal update, Defamation Bill passes Oireachtas, General Scheme of SLAPPS Bill published.

The Defamation (Amendment) Bill has passed through both houses of the Oireachtas.

The General Scheme of the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill has also been published.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rP3nKA

Image with text that reads "Phase two recognition payments for injured survivors of Stardust Fire".

Government today approved Phase Two recognition payments for injured survivors of the Stardust fire. Each survivor will be eligible for a recognition payment of €20,000 and the scheme will be straightforward to access.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3MnZfBZ

📣 Help shape Ireland’s first National Strategy for Improving Community Safety by completing our anonymous survey.

We want to hear from people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences living in the Republic of Ireland today.

https://bit.ly/4kLR7Z7

Survey closes 27 February 2026.

Policing update poster featuring a group of uniformed individuals walking in front of a building. Text reads: "167 probationer Gardaí assigned across the country." Includes logos of the Department of Justice.

Group of uniformed individuals standing in formation at a ceremony. One official shakes hands with another. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration logo is at the bottom of the image.

A large group in uniform throws caps into the air in celebration outside a building. Below, three individuals stand together; two are in uniform, with visible insignia. Text on the image mentions "An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Gnóthaí Baile agus Inimirce, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration."

100 men and 67 women have been attested and will be assigned to Garda divisions across the country by the Garda Commissioner. Over 200 new trainees are due to enter the Garda College next week.

Read more: https://bit.ly/45RZz2E

Significant progress on the nationwide roll-out of Local Community Safety Partnerships has been achieved with members now appointed to 34 Safety Partnerships. An online national community safety survey also launched today.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4qiegmU

A photo of Minister O'Callaghan standing infront of Government Buildings. Text on the image reads: "Legislative Update, Amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Misc. Provisions) Bill 2026.

Government approval to introduce amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, to address disclosure of counselling notes, disregard of certain historical convictions, and refusal of bail.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4c70gsD

A person holds a smartphone displaying a betting app with a soccer match. The screen shows the words "BETTING ONLINE" and "SOCCER MATCH." Below, a headline reads "Regulator to begin issuing betting licences" with a banner stating "Gambling Regulation." The logo for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is visible.

A commencement order, allowing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to begin issuing remote and in-person betting licences, was signed yesterday by Minister O'Callaghan

Read More: https://bit.ly/3M5g6JW

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan announces Charter Removal Flight to remove 33 Polish and Lithuanian nationals from the State

Charter Removal Flight to remove 33 Polish and Lithuanian nationals from the State.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Niall Collins TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, represented Ireland at a meeting this week of European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Cyprus.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Graphic announcing the update of the New Garda Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit with a blue and yellow theme.

An Garda Síochána has established a new Unit to act as a single point of contact with UK authorities on Troubles-related legacy cases, and for victims and families regarding Troubles-related investigations by An Garda Síochána.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rbA0lj

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has today welcomed the progress of Garda Operation Moonridge which is successfully identifying and deporting non-Irish nationals convicted of sexual crimes.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

The General Scheme of the Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill 2026 has been approved for publication. The aim of the Bill is to ensure the process for the adoption of Personal Injuries Guidelines is more transparent and comprehensive.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

The Government has approved proposals to strengthen legislation on the lawful interception of communications, with a view to creating a new legal framework to help tackle serious crime and security threats.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4qOcKdv

Photo of the Family Justice Development Forum event. Text over image reads: "Launch, Ireland's first set of child maintenance guidelines."

Ireland’s first set of Child Maintenance Guidelines was launched today at the Family Justice Development Forum event in Dublin.

Read more: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Government has approved the publication of the International Protection Bill 2026. The Bill will put in place a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term and ensure Ireland’s policy aligns with other EU countries.

www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan following his meeting with the family of the late Mr. Denis Donaldson.

Read here: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Group of professionals and Minister Brophy standing in front of the Goethe-Institut in India, banner titled 'UPDATE: VISIT TO INDIA TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT' displayed above.

During his visits to India and Abu Dhabi, Minister Brophy will engage with Government counterparts and Irish missions to progress Ireland’s bilateral relationships and co-operation across a range of priority areas.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4528QEX

The Civil Reform Bill aims to improve access to justice for all by making it quicker, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3YtuFJP