Donncha O’Connell
@donnchalaw.bsky.social
Law academic living in the west of Ireland. Interested in law, politics, history, theatre, music, books, art, people and dogs…not in that order.
Security not so light touch at dog groomers today…
January 31, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Security not so light touch at dog groomers today…
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Poem of the Week: The Lie
Poem of the Week: The Lie
A new work by Mary O’Malley
www.irishtimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Poem of the Week: The Lie
And now for some method acting…
January 30, 2026 at 7:17 PM
And now for some method acting…
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The president of the European Court of Human Rights spoke of “judicial pragmatism” when asked about concerns raised by states that have signed the human rights convention. But respect for the court’s “full independence” was essential, Mattias Guyomar insisted
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judicial-p...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judicial-p...
Judicial pragmatism
We hear what you say but don’t tell us what to do, judges tell states
rozenberg.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:05 AM
The president of the European Court of Human Rights spoke of “judicial pragmatism” when asked about concerns raised by states that have signed the human rights convention. But respect for the court’s “full independence” was essential, Mattias Guyomar insisted
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judicial-p...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judicial-p...
‘Political priority cannot be a judge’s priority’- European Court of Human Rights president. Political pressure on jurisdiction of court ‘impossible to accept’, says Judge Mattias Guyomar
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
‘Political priority cannot be a judge’s priority’- European Court of Human Rights president
Political pressure on jurisdiction of court ‘impossible to accept’, says Mattias Guyomar
www.irishtimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
‘Political priority cannot be a judge’s priority’- European Court of Human Rights president. Political pressure on jurisdiction of court ‘impossible to accept’, says Judge Mattias Guyomar
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The recruitment process for a new Special Rapporteur on Child Protection has been launched.
Special Rapporteur on Child Protection - Department of Children, Disability and Equality
Find the latest vacancies across both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland for solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals.
www.irishlegal.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The recruitment process for a new Special Rapporteur on Child Protection has been launched.
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
A number of garda recruits will be delayed entering the force as planned next week due to delays with receiving their garda vetting.
jrnl.ie/6940130t
jrnl.ie/6940130t
Garda recruits unable to enter force due to delays with garda vetting, Justice Committee hears
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said the situation is “unbelievable”.
jrnl.ie
January 27, 2026 at 7:47 PM
A number of garda recruits will be delayed entering the force as planned next week due to delays with receiving their garda vetting.
jrnl.ie/6940130t
jrnl.ie/6940130t
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Policing an armed society requires a commitment to transparency and accountability, Barry Friedman and Brandon del Pozo argue, and “in this regard, ICE and the federal government have failed dismally.”
ICE Is Failing the Legitimacy Test
America’s most fundamental values are at risk
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Policing an armed society requires a commitment to transparency and accountability, Barry Friedman and Brandon del Pozo argue, and “in this regard, ICE and the federal government have failed dismally.”
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The Govt has advertised for applicants for the post of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection. I had the privilege of acting in this role from 2019-2022; I'm happy to chat to anyone considering applying.
bit.ly/LI_Org_SRCP26
bit.ly/LI_Org_SRCP26
Special Rapporteur for Child Protection - publicjobs
Title: Special Rapporteur for Child Protection. Vacancy type: publicjobs. Department/Organisation: Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Location: Dublin. Advertising date: 23/01/2026, 08:3...
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 9:17 PM
The Govt has advertised for applicants for the post of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection. I had the privilege of acting in this role from 2019-2022; I'm happy to chat to anyone considering applying.
bit.ly/LI_Org_SRCP26
bit.ly/LI_Org_SRCP26
Celebrate Jennifer Johnston - please sign petition: my.uplift.ie/petitions/cl... @uplift.ie
Celebrate Jennifer Johnston
Her family, authors of this petitition, and those who admired her tremendous body of work and passion for life would like to see her celebrated as a woman writer, all too neglected, and as...
my.uplift.ie
January 26, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Celebrate Jennifer Johnston - please sign petition: my.uplift.ie/petitions/cl... @uplift.ie
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
This useful Webinar is happening tomorrow, Registration is Free and all are Welcome!
tinyurl.com/GaleNewspapers
#historicalnewspapers
tinyurl.com/GaleNewspapers
#historicalnewspapers
January 26, 2026 at 9:19 AM
This useful Webinar is happening tomorrow, Registration is Free and all are Welcome!
tinyurl.com/GaleNewspapers
#historicalnewspapers
tinyurl.com/GaleNewspapers
#historicalnewspapers
Well worth reading:
Murder and MI5: How an extraordinary battle erupted over what the state keeps secret
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Murder and MI5: How an extraordinary battle erupted over what the state keeps secret
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Murder and MI5: the extraordinary battle over what stays secret
Can the state, especially when it is implicated in killing, be trusted as the arbiter of what should remain confidential?
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Well worth reading:
Murder and MI5: How an extraordinary battle erupted over what the state keeps secret
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Murder and MI5: How an extraordinary battle erupted over what the state keeps secret
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Great interview by Mary Robinson on Morning Ireland @rteradio1.bsky.social on the so-called Board of Peace, Gaza and Trump’s America - powerful, clear-sighted, unapologetic moral leadership.
January 26, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Great interview by Mary Robinson on Morning Ireland @rteradio1.bsky.social on the so-called Board of Peace, Gaza and Trump’s America - powerful, clear-sighted, unapologetic moral leadership.
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Mayo prevail in chaotic contest as Galway rue missed chances
Mayo prevail in chaotic contest as Galway rue missed chances
Home side’s second-half comeback falls just as Andy Moran begins reign with win
www.irishtimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Mayo prevail in chaotic contest as Galway rue missed chances
‘It is outrageous’ – former president Mary Robinson slams Trump’s Board of Peace
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
‘It is outrageous’ – former president Mary Robinson slams Trump’s Board of Peace
Former president Mary Robinson has criticised Trump’s Board of Peace, describing it as the “board of the power of one Trump imperial idea”.
www.independent.ie
January 25, 2026 at 12:11 PM
‘It is outrageous’ – former president Mary Robinson slams Trump’s Board of Peace
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
CJEU, asylum law
New case on the extent of Member States obligations to facilitate family reunion for Gaza refugee - will be fast tracked
www.linkedin.com/posts/riccar...
New case on the extent of Member States obligations to facilitate family reunion for Gaza refugee - will be fast tracked
www.linkedin.com/posts/riccar...
What obligations do Member States have to facilitate the exit of a family from the Gaza Strip under the Family Reunification Directive?
This new preliminary reference matters beyond the situation in…...
What obligations do Member States have to facilitate the exit of a family from the Gaza Strip under the Family Reunification Directive?
This new preliminary reference matters beyond the situation in ...
www.linkedin.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 AM
CJEU, asylum law
New case on the extent of Member States obligations to facilitate family reunion for Gaza refugee - will be fast tracked
www.linkedin.com/posts/riccar...
New case on the extent of Member States obligations to facilitate family reunion for Gaza refugee - will be fast tracked
www.linkedin.com/posts/riccar...
Irish Minister intervenes in Spanish cancer patient’s European Court of Human Rights case amid concerns over impact of case on Irish medical negligence cases involving consent…
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
Minister intervenes in Spanish cancer patient’s European case amid concerns over impact on Irish medical negligence cases
Involvement comes due to concern court judgment could cause an increase in Irish medical negligence cases
www.irishtimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Irish Minister intervenes in Spanish cancer patient’s European Court of Human Rights case amid concerns over impact of case on Irish medical negligence cases involving consent…
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/...
Some very interesting points in this piece on contempt of court by Mary Carolan:
To free or not to free Enoch Burke? That is the question haunting judges – The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
To free or not to free Enoch Burke? That is the question haunting judges – The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
To free or not to free Enoch Burke? That is the question haunting judges
Restraining the serial protester from litigating until his contempt is purged could be one way of making him comply
www.irishtimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Some very interesting points in this piece on contempt of court by Mary Carolan:
To free or not to free Enoch Burke? That is the question haunting judges – The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
To free or not to free Enoch Burke? That is the question haunting judges – The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
"The man who saved an Irish rainforest."
Last July, as part of the Galway International Arts Festival, myself and @saoirsemc.bsky.social had a great discussion around nature loss, rewilding, farming, and so much more.
It's now online, if you'd like to listen back.
youtu.be/TAS3j43AVDw?...
Last July, as part of the Galway International Arts Festival, myself and @saoirsemc.bsky.social had a great discussion around nature loss, rewilding, farming, and so much more.
It's now online, if you'd like to listen back.
youtu.be/TAS3j43AVDw?...
The Man who saved an Irish Rainforest | First Thought Talks | Galway International Arts Festival
YouTube video by Galway International Arts Festival
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 6:15 AM
"The man who saved an Irish rainforest."
Last July, as part of the Galway International Arts Festival, myself and @saoirsemc.bsky.social had a great discussion around nature loss, rewilding, farming, and so much more.
It's now online, if you'd like to listen back.
youtu.be/TAS3j43AVDw?...
Last July, as part of the Galway International Arts Festival, myself and @saoirsemc.bsky.social had a great discussion around nature loss, rewilding, farming, and so much more.
It's now online, if you'd like to listen back.
youtu.be/TAS3j43AVDw?...
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Galway City Council is intent on progressing a pedestrian and bicycle link across the stone abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge, despite national funding cancelled for this piece of the Connemara Greenway www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
Council aims to bridge funding gap
Galway City Council is intent on progressing a pedestrian and bicycle link across the stone abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge, despite national funding cancelled for this piece of the…
www.advertiser.ie
January 23, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Galway City Council is intent on progressing a pedestrian and bicycle link across the stone abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge, despite national funding cancelled for this piece of the Connemara Greenway www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
Good to see this in Minister McEntee’s speech today:
“We will continue to work to oppose attempts to dilute international commitments and human rights standards, including on women’s rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons…”
www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
“We will continue to work to oppose attempts to dilute international commitments and human rights standards, including on women’s rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons…”
www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
Speech by Minister McEntee - "Ireland’s Enduring Place in Europe: Our 2026 EU Presidency" - Europe House, 22 January 2026
www.gov.ie
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Good to see this in Minister McEntee’s speech today:
“We will continue to work to oppose attempts to dilute international commitments and human rights standards, including on women’s rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons…”
www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
“We will continue to work to oppose attempts to dilute international commitments and human rights standards, including on women’s rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTQ+ persons…”
www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
The Law Society of Ireland has joined the chorus of opposition to government plans to cap legal costs in environmental judicial reviews.
Law Society warns judicial review fee cap ‘prioritises money over merit’
The Law Society of Ireland has joined the chorus of opposition to government plans to cap legal costs in environmental judicial reviews.
www.irishlegal.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:58 PM
The Law Society of Ireland has joined the chorus of opposition to government plans to cap legal costs in environmental judicial reviews.
Reposted by Donncha O’Connell
Interested to learn about the LLM in International Criminal Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights @uniofgalwaylaw.bsky.social?
I'll be speaking at an online information session today at 1pm organised by @globalgalway.bsky.social
Register here:
tappage.theaccessplatform.com/1194/univers...
I'll be speaking at an online information session today at 1pm organised by @globalgalway.bsky.social
Register here:
tappage.theaccessplatform.com/1194/univers...
January 22, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Interested to learn about the LLM in International Criminal Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights @uniofgalwaylaw.bsky.social?
I'll be speaking at an online information session today at 1pm organised by @globalgalway.bsky.social
Register here:
tappage.theaccessplatform.com/1194/univers...
I'll be speaking at an online information session today at 1pm organised by @globalgalway.bsky.social
Register here:
tappage.theaccessplatform.com/1194/univers...