The High Court has directed an inquiry into the detention of two mothers who refused to enter mandatory hotel quarantine after arriving into Dublin Airport following their return from a trip to Dubai.
Today, Mr Justice Paul Burns directed the inquiry, under Article 40.4.2 of the constitution, the legality of the detention of friends Niamh Mulreany and Kirstie McGrath at Mountjoy woman s prison.
The inquiry has been directed against the Governor of the prison, where the two are currently being held.
Both women were arrested and charged with breaching Section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021 by refusing to be detained in quarantine following their alleged refusal to go the designated hotel on Friday.
He said: “Our members are dealing with ever-present danger and there’s a level of anxiety and fear and perhaps trepidation. We have very little control over our level of exposure. Our members put on their uniforms and go out every day and just don’t know what they have to face.
“We’ve been out there since last February and March putting ourselves in danger and we didn’t question it. We were told that our contribution was valued. Now overnight, we are the only emergency service, the only blue light service, that has been left unvaccinated.”
The Donegal-based officer added that the decision to uphaul the vaccination process is “not fair” and is “illogical.”
A Fine Gael TD has described the recent death threats levelled at his party leader as “unnerving” but praised the Tanaiste for “getting on with it”.
A fortnight ago, the Sunday Independent revealed that several death threats have been levelled against the Tánaiste in recent weeks, leading to him now requiring round-the-clock armed garda protection.
Senior sources say the deaths threats are being taken “extremely seriously” and gardaí are “responding appropriately” in terms of providing protection for Mr Varadkar.
In an interview this weekend in the Sunday Independent, Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond said he was aware of the threats made against the Tánaiste.
The mother of the little boy left fatherless by killer Dave Mahon has lashed out at reports that he plans to become a handyman when he’s released from prison this summer.
Mahon is currently serving a seven-year manslaughter sentence after a jury found him guilty of knifing innocent Dean Fitzpatrick to death during a verbal row they had in May 2013.
“He gets out and gets to enjoy his life while Leon’s dad is not here. I wish him nothing bud karma (sic). Horrible! Makes me sick,” Dean’s partner Sara O’Rourke said this week.
Dean’s death came over five years after his sister disappeared from an apartment she was living in with Mahon and her mother Audrey Fitzpatrick in Spain.
Detectives are investigating an emerging crime network run by two brothers in the Midlands after seizing €160,000 worth of cash in a stop and search operation.