Police and security forces worldwide are testing automated facial recognition systems to identify criminals and terrorists.

Gardaí used pepper sprays almost 690 times in 2018, official figures reveal.

Open letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality:

The Government has been accused of backing down “in the face of racist arson attacks” by shelving plans for a direct provision centre in Rooskey in Leitrim.

Protesters will be taking to the streets of Dublin today demanding that the new National Maternity Hospital be free of religious influence.

Governments can now easily see where we’re going, who we’re talking to, and what interests we have. All without our knowledge or consent, writes Elizabeth Farries.

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in the US is urging the country’s 50,000 undocumented Irish not to panic about President Trump’s clampdown on immigration — as it will only impact undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.

Gerry Adams has questioned the ability of the judiciary, saying that judges can make mistakes.

Current anti-racism laws are “not functioning” and the Government must introduce specific hate crime legislation, according to an immigrant support group.

RTÉ welcomed the clearance from the High Court yesterday to report Dáil debates concerning billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien, saying it sent out an important message to TDs and the media.

Gardaí and civilian staff will be subject to a new code of ethics which encourages and facilitates the reporting of wrongdoing within the force under the proposed new Policing Authority.

Irish abortion law treats women as a vessel and nothing more, the UN’s human rights committee chair and former UN special rapporteur on torture told the Government.

The winner of the ICCL Human Rights Short Film Awards will be announced this Thursday following a gala screening of the six shortlisted films in the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. The jury includes director Lenny Abrahamson (Adam and Paul, Frank) and playwright Conor McPherson.

The Cooke report into why GSOC carried a security sweep of its offices following fears of bugging was described as an "exercise in smoke and mirrors" by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties.

A judge-led review of the alleged bugging of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will last eight weeks but will not be given statutory powers.

After almost two days of mounting speculation and wild accusations of a shadowy spying operation on the Garda Ombudsman came a statement clearing the Garda Síochána of responsibility.

The Constitutional Convention has recommended the offence of blasphemy be removed from Irish law.

Removing the offence of blasphemy from Irish law will be discussed by the Convention on the Constitution this weekend.

The Government asked the US about its spying activities in Ireland three months ago, the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed, but a surveillance expert said he would not expect America to have an operation in this country, as the work would be carried out by Britain.

The Constitutional Convention has passed a vote calling for a referendum on same-sex marriage.

A constitutional amendment is not needed to allow for the abortion of a foetus that has no chance of survival outside the womb, legal experts have argued.

One of the country’s biggest maternity hospitals, the Rotunda in Dublin, had six cases last year where pregnancies were terminated to save mothers’ lives.

Medical and legal experts will meet cross-party politicians to make recommendations on draft legislation for new abortion laws.

Efforts by the Justice Minister Alan Shatter to establish a Human Rights and Equality Commission have hit another major stumbling block, after the Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly withdrew her involvement.

THE Government has been told it must take firm action to legislate for abortion.

SOME of the gardaí implicated in the “rape tape” scandal have been interviewed by the State’s independent police watchdog.

JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday signalled his intention to include elements of a new draft bill allowing the use of lethal force by householders against intruders into law.

Human rights campaigners today accused Justice Minister Dermot Ahern of abusing the Dáil and operating a police state by fast-tracking tough new anti-gangland laws.

THE government body for integrating asylum seekers has been accused of “stifling political debate” by not allowing canvassing at hostels.

MORE than half of the country’s prisoners are sharing a cell with other inmates and at least 200 are sleeping in cells of more than four people, according to figures from the Department of Justice.

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) has today expressed its concern following the publication of the Garda Ombudsman Commission's report.

GARDA members will be able to expose corruption and abuses within the force under a new confidential whistleblower charter.

The Government is coming under fresh pressure today to introduce a constitutional amendment paving the way for gay marriages.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s description of himself as a socialist is a comical attempt to re-cast Fianna Fail as a caring party.

THE Department of Justice has stepped up moves to deport immigrants whose marriages to Irish citizens have broken down.

PEOPLE held in garda custody for extended periods should be allowed access to a lawyer when they are being questioned, the Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) said yesterday.

THE Minister for Justice will be handed immense powers to control and influence gardaí under little-publicised sections of a Bill to reform the force, campaigners said yesterday.

FUTURE immigration and asylum policy could discriminate against nationals of specific countries unless changes are made to forthcoming equality legislation, it was warned last night.

CONCERN was expressed yesterday at the impact on the civil rights of Irish travellers following the latest US security restrictions.

A NUMBER of existing legal provisions could be used, or extended, to counter the problem of intimidation, legal experts said yesterday.

WORRYING signs of creeping authoritarianism, mixed with a growing disregard for the interests of minority groups, are manifest in the proposal

EQUALITY groups opposed to the transfer of discrimination cases from the Equality Tribunal to the district court have warned the move could cause the Equal Status Act to collapse.

A bid to identify underage drinkers through their personal identity numbers was attacked as “ill-thought out” by human rights campaigners tonight.

THE Garda riot squad was yesterday accused of heavy-handed tactics in dispersing a sit-down protest outside the Dáil by anti-war protestors.