The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has paid tribute to Martin Callinan.

Convicted criminals and suspects detained as part of serious criminal investigations are to be compelled, by force if necessary, to provide DNA samples for a new national database.

After the weekend constitutional convention voted in favour — a 79% endorsement — of extending civil marriage rights to same-sex couples, conservative senator Rónán Mullen suggested that the integrity of the convention had been compromised because the debate was a “flawed process”.

IRA victim Private Paddy Kelly is to be honoured with the Military Star medal almost 30 years after his killing.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter has today published the Annual Prison Visiting Committee Reports.