The State could face an avalanche of legal actions from children with special needs if the system to assess their needs is not rectified, according to a leading children’s rights solicitor.

There were 86 admissions of children to adult psychiatric units in 2017, a jump of 28% on the previous year.

HSE proposals on how it would conduct Assessments Of Need (AON) for children have been deferred for a number of weeks after numerous objections.

Occupational therapists have criticised changes to an assessment of need for children under disability legislation, just as a High Court judgement will compel the HSE to deliver outstanding assessments within six weeks for two families who challenged the former system.

The main body representing psychologists has slammed the HSE over proposals to change its Assessment of Need process for children, claiming it could lead to wrong diagnoses.

Children’s rights groups have marked the fifth anniversary of the passing of the children’s referendum by claiming there is still some distance to go before the rights enshrined in the Constitution are fully vindicated.

Senior barristers have demanded the Legal Aid Board immediately reverse a decision that would impact on family law cases, including the possibility of adding to already lengthy waiting lists.

Three families have launched a legal action in the High Court seeking to compel the HSE to deliver assessments of need for children who might have a disability within the designated timeframe, in a move which could affect thousands of families.

New figures show while the numbers of families turned down for the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) has fallen, almost 80% of applications that were rejected were later granted the payment on appeal.

The health minister’s decision to end the permanent ban on blood donations by gay men has lead to a young man withdrawing his High Court challenge to the ban.

The country’s most troubled teenagers are being criminalised while in the care of the State — arrested in the secure therapeutic centres aiming to stabilise and rehabilitate them.

A 16-year-old boy is to stand trial accused of repeatedly raping a teenage girl.

A suspected unaccompanied minor, who was allegedly brought to Ireland following his father’s murder, had €5,000 on him when he was arrested at a Dublin shopping centre, a court was told.

Sweeping laws criminalising the disclosure of information by gardaí to the media should be re-examined, according to the National Union of Journalists.

Independent TD Mick Wallace has launched a civil action against former minister for justice Alan Shatter for disclosing private information about him on RTÉ’s Prime Time.

Independent TD Mick Wallace has launched a civil action against former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter for disclosing private information about him on RTE’s Prime Time.

A landmark High Court ruling on the country’s human trafficking laws could have “significant implications” for prosecutions going through the courts, legal experts have said.

An EU directive relating to victims of human trafficking has not been properly transposed into Irish law, a High Court judge has ruled.

A troubled boy, awaiting sentencing for attacking his father, has been remanded in custody pending efforts by child welfare services to provide him with suitable accommodation and care.

The Department of Education looks set to continue defending cases brought by families seeking guaranteed resource teaching hours for children with Down syndrome, who should now qualify for the support after a government decision this week.

There has been a dramatic fall in the number of applications for Domiciliary Care Allowance rejected by the Department of Social Protection.

A man’s head was stamped on eight times after he witnessed a row in Dublin city centre, a court has heard.

Independent TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly are to fully contest charges they unlawfully entered a restricted zone at Shannon Airport last July.

Mick Wallace’s silence as to what action he may take against former justice minister Alan Shatter regarding what he said about the Wexford TD on RTÉ’s Primetime programme "speaks volumes", a judge was told yesterday.

Ireland must not to descend into "mob rule" motivated by "racist undertones" after a 200-strong protest forced three Roma families in Waterford to flee their homes over alleged crime issues in the city.

A Dublin teenager has admitted taking part in an armed robbery during which an off-duty garda was told he was going to be shot.

A 16-year-old boy who attacked two Bus Éireann workers and made threats about raping their family members has been warned he could be facing a custodial sentence.

A growing number of parents whose children are being denied educational supports are considering taking legal action against the department.

A teenage boy pointed an imitation handgun at shop workers while another teen stole €30 worth of sweets.

Former justice minister Alan Shatter’s appeal against a decision of the Data Protection Commissioner — that he had breached data protection laws when he divulged information relating to TD Mick Wallace on RTÉ’s Prime Time — will be heard in November.

Independent TD Clare Daly yesterday described an attempt to prosecute her for a minor motoring offence as a "distraction" from her work highlighting malpractice and injustice.

Independent socialist TD Clare Daly today described an attempt to prosecute her for a minor motoring offence as a distraction from her work highlighting malpractice and injustice.

A 16-year-old boy was found living in Dublin after his parents left the country more than a year ago, a court was told today.

A High Court Judge has demanded the Department of Social Protection review its decision to deny a woman a domiciliary care allowance for her autistic son after finding there was “an abdication of statutory duty” by the deciding officer in the case.

Independent socialist TD Clare Daly appeared in a court in Dublin yesterday to plead not guilty to an offence of driving without reasonable consideration.

Independent socialist TD Clare Daly appeared in a court in Dublin today to plead not guilty to an offence of driving without reasonable consideration.

The Garda Commissioner has consented to a High Court declaration that a delay of more than two years in investigating a council worker’s complaint against a garda breached the man’s rights to fair procedures and prompt decision.

More families are bringing court challenges against the Department of Social Protection over its refusal to grant them Domiciliary Care Allowance, and in many cases are bypassing the department’s appeals system altogether.

A judge has ordered the arrest of a youth who mugged a heavily pregnant woman during a horrific robbery and then skipped court today.

A judge has called for Taser stun guns to be issued to gardaí to deal with out-of-control public order incidents.

A Judge has called for Taser stun guns to be issued to gardaí to deal with out of control public order incidents.

A 14-year-old boy, who steadfastly refused to apologise for his role in a terrifying burglary at a woman's home, has been spared a jail sentence.