Opinion

Solicitor Patrick Horan welcomes a Circuit Court ruling which held that defendants in drink driving cases have a right to inspect Garda breathalysers. In a groundbreaking decision with far-reaching implications for drink driving cases across Ireland, a ruling at Clonmel Circuit Court has determined

Dr Pearce Clancy ponders whether victims of Storm Éowyn could successfully bring climate litigation to the European courts. Storm Éowyn was one of the most destructive storms Ireland has ever seen, with winds of 183 km/h recorded by the Mace Head weather station in Connemara. The devas

In recent weeks, the European Court of Justice ruled against the Irish Data Protection Commission in a significant case involving Meta’s processing of sensitive user data. Grace G Tierney BL analyses the outcome of the judgement. On 29 January 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found ag

Barry Crushell highlights a recent employment dispute where CCTV footage played a central role. The case of Nkemka Patrick Okachi v Sodexo Ireland Limited ADJ-00045306 examines the circumstances under which an employer will be compelled to utilise CCTV footage as part of an investigation and discipl

Matheson partner Davinia Brennan considers a recent decision clarifying the definition of "personal data breach". The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) recently imposed a €91 million fine on Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (MPIL), having found that it violated a number of provisions of the

Solicitor Patrick Horan explores the science of sentencing. Imagine facing a judge for the same crime in two different courtrooms. In one, you get one year in prison. In the other? Ten years.

Walkers partner Eoin Ryan and associate Tristan Meyer explore the factors shaping Ireland’s M&A landscape in 2025. In 2025, M&A activity in Ireland is expected to perform strongly fuelled by a combination of global economic trends, post-electoral political climates, sectoral shifts and

Cleaver Fulton Rankin associate Jude Copeland examines a ruling on procedural issues in the UK's first major copyright battle over generative AI technology. On 14 January 2025, Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE delivered a reserved judgment in Getty Images (US) Inc and Ors v Stability AI Ltd [2025] EWHC

Professor Colin Murray examines a recent ruling by Northern Ireland's High Court on the 1997 murder of GAA official Sean Brown through the lens of feminist jurisprudence. The idea of a feminist judgment, or indeed a feminist judge, remains a scary thought for many lawyers. Judges are to be detached

Federica Fazio asks the unthinkable question: what happens if Donald Trump launches a US invasion of Greenland? Ever since Donald Trump announced his bid for the 2024 presidential election, NATO allies have been looking for ways to “Trump-proof” the alliance.

Dr Andrew Forde responds to the furore over Ireland's intention to intervene in cases brought against Israel and Myanmar under the Genocide Convention. On 11 December, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin announced Ireland’s intention to intervene in the

William Fry partner Dr Barry Scannell examines a recent trademark case in which ChatGPT represented one of the parties. Good idea: Getting a well-trained lawyer to represent you in a trademark dispute. Bad idea: Having ChatGPT represent you in a trademark dispute.

Being a public figure is tough. In some ways, few public roles are harder than those of politicians and government officials. The constant judgement, insults and threats alone are enough to put almost anyone off public service, writes Scottish lawyer Benjamin Bestgen. There is no denying that being

Professor Russell Sandberg suggests legal sanctions for blasphemy continue to exist in Britain following a ruling against Scottish comedian Fern Brady. The criminal offence of blasphemy is dead in England and Wales. It was unceremoniously abolished by section 79(1) of the Criminal Justice and Immigr

Legal academic Dr Dafni Lima responds to a new crackdown on surrogacy by Italy's far-right government. The Italian Senate recently passed a law making surrogacy a “universal crime”. In a country where surrogacy is already illegal, and has been since 2004, this decision takes restric