EIGHT former Irish attorneys general have voiced collectively their strong opposition to the Government’s proposal to amend the Constitution to give the Oireachtas special powers of investigation.

APPLICATIONS for child custody soared by 44% last year, according to statistics published yesterday.

Cabinet Ministers are to lose their garda drivers under radical changes to official Government transport announced today.

The Council of State will meet today to advise the President on controversial new laws covering the multibillion-euro international bailout and the banks.

THE Courts Service had its busiest year ever in 2009 as its workload swelled due to the impact of the economic crash.

The number of people declared bankrupt more than doubled last year, Courts Service figures revealed today.

Brothers Warren and Jeffrey Dumbrell had their convictions for murdering a father of six overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal today.

President Mary McAleese found herself in front of a judge today – as she opened the multi million criminal courts complex in Dublin.

The new Criminal Courts of Justice complex will be officially opened later today.

Opponents of controversial blasphemy and anti-gangland laws warned of pitfalls in the legislation today signed into law by President Mary McAleese.

The number of people chasing debt through the courts during the economic downturn has doubled, it emerged today.

Two controversial new laws dealing with gangland criminals and blasphemy will be examined by President Mary McAleese tonight.

Two controversial new laws dealing with gangland criminals and blasphemy will be examined by President Mary McAleese tonight.

President Mary McAleese today challenged two controversial new laws dealing with gangland criminals and blasphemy.

Enda Kenny tonight demanded the Government lay bare its legal advice which excludes judges from paying the pension levies.

The Chief Justice says unfair and misleading statements have been made in relation to judges taking voluntary pay cuts.

Top earners in the public sector were tonight warned about hiding behind legal loopholes to avoid pay cuts.

A man will find out today if his conviction for the murder of his wife is overturned.

Lessons on the Irish legal system are set to enhance the curriculum in secondary schools across the country, it emerged today.

The leader of the Real IRA has today launched an appeal against his conviction for directing terrorism, claiming the key witness in his trial lacked credibility.

A paraplegic wanted by police investigating a murder in the UK will tonight be extradited from Ireland.

A paraplegic wanted by police investigating a murder in the UK today lost his appeal against extradition in the Republic of Ireland’s highest court.

A callous rapist who intimidated his victim after walking free from court today began a 10-year jail term.

Members of an Oireachtas Justice Committee tonight defended the judiciary despite criticism from a late High Court judge that his former peers were influenced by the media and public opinion.

The Supreme Court today dismissed an appeal brought by a Dublin conservationist to protect the state’s national heritage.

YESTERDAY’S landmark ruling of the Supreme Court, outlining the reasons for the re-arrest and continued detention of the sex offender known as Mr A, will be welcomed by a worried public.

Today’s Supreme Court judgement on the ’Mr A’ case clarifies the current position in relation to people convicted under the defunct underage rape law, the Taoiseach said tonight.

The continued detention of a sex offender known as Mr A is valid because he did not challenge legislation under which he was convicted at the time of his trial, the Supreme Court ruled today.

Lawyers acting for a fugitive wanted in the US in connection with the deaths of three students were today granted more time to prepare an appeal against extradition.

The Supreme Court today ordered the re-arrest of a 41-year-old paedophile who had been released from jail after his detention for raping a 12-year-old girl was deemed unlawful.

Judges will no longer be referred to as ’My Lord’ or ’Your Lordship’ in courtrooms under new rules beginning next week.

An international computer expert will aid an Oireachtas Committee investigating allegations Judge Brian Curtin was in possession of child pornography, it was confirmed today.

The Supreme Court today cleared the way for a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged misbehaviour of Judge Brian Curtin.

The Chief Justice today paid tribute to High Court Judge Mella Carroll’s invaluable contribution to the development of the law in Ireland.