Ireland tries to milk EU for all it’s worth

THE Government has been heavily criticised for how this country treats asylum seekers, member of the Traveller community, migrant workers and their families — and for not tackling racism adequately.

A MOTHER facing prison for defaulting on a credit union loan, part of which was to pay for her daughter’s funeral, has won her constitutional challenge against the jail sentence in a test case which could have widespread repercussions for people in debt.

THE Government is likely to face strong criticism from the United Nations human rights committee over its lack of progress on addressing concerns — first highlighted almost a decade ago — about the condition of Irish prisons as well as the state’s treatment of various groups including women, Travellers, immigrants and same-sex couples.

THE State’s human rights watchdog yesterday strongly criticised key parts of a government bill aimed at overhauling the immigration system.