Human rights commission to intervene in Oberstown cases

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) can appear as an amicus curiae in four cases involving conditions at Oberstown Detention Centre, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The cases involve allegations by children that they have been detained in conditions amounting to solitary confinement at the centre.

The Commission had previously been refused liberty by the High Court to present submissions on the domestic and international human rights standards relating to children in detention.

Emily Logan, IHREC’s chief commissioner, said: “We welcome the ruling today of the Court of Appeal. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission applied to appear as amicus curiae in this significant case, as it raises important issues regarding the human rights of children in detention.

“As Ireland’s National Human Rights and Equality Institution the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission uses its statutory functions and independent status to provide an experience-based human rights perspective in legal cases where significant issues arise.”