A referendum on marriage equality should be held to solve the political impasse in Northern Ireland, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has suggested.

The number of people in prison is increasing sharply, placing pressure on the bulk of jails with many near or above operating capacity.

The Irish Prison Service has sought to ease fears of a backlog of sex offenders waiting to enter its tailored treatment programme.

The Irish Prison Service has sought to ease fears of a backlog of sex offenders waiting to enter its tailored treatment programme following criticism from a visiting committee at one of the country's main jails.

Government ministers have rounded on Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin for “playing party politics” with Brexit for his own gain.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has described as “ridiculous” the defence given by Communications Minister Denis Naughten, who had said his call with a lobbyist for Independent News and Media (INM) was “personal”.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has described as “ridiculous” the defence given by Communications Minister Denis Naughten when he said his call with a lobbyist for Independent News and Media (INM) was “personal”.

Convicted sex offender and legal academic Brian Doolan has launched a High Court challenge over being disciplined by the Arbour Hill Prison authorities for comments posted on his website crticising the victim's support group 'One in Four'.

A woman who broke her wrist when she allegedly tripped on stairs at the well known Lillie's Bordello nightclub has settled her High Court action.

There are 120 sex offenders living in communities across the country who are subject to monitoring as part of post- release supervision orders.

John Cuffe recalls the day he woke up and saw Cork harbour ablaze. His new memoir of being a prison officer includes a look at the riot on Spike Island. He tells Donal O’Keeffe.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has accused Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar of using the race to replace Taoiseach Enda Kenny to “drag the country further to the right”.

Ireland’s national flag will fly over Government Buildings at all times in future under plans to mark the Easter 1916 commemorations as last year’s events have brought a “new respect” for the Tricolour.

Kya deLongchamps argues that vintage photographs and slides, even formerly forgotten ones, can one day reveal a whole life.

Scissor sister, Charlotte Mulhall, 32, and killer waitress, Marta Herda, 29, are just two of 10 women serving life sentences in Ireland.

More than 100 sex offenders living in communities across the country are subject to monitoring as part of post-release supervision orders.

A 27 year old man sustained fatal head injuries in a fall down stairs after a night out with friends, an inquest heard.

Outgoing Labour leader Joan Burton has criticised the new Government for shying away from safeguarding workers’ rights.

Convicted criminals have been gifted more than €1m in ‘bus money’ to cover the cost of transport following their release from jail since 2009, new figures have revealed.

After playing Nidge and Padraic Pearse, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is happy to just be himslef for a chat to Clodagh Finn

Shamelessly, both party leaders saddled up beside each other at Rising commemorations yesterday and gave that familiar smirk, a chuckle, and posed while a tricolour fluttered behind their heads.

Fianna Fáil is dismissing Fine Gael threats of another election after government formation talks stalled, and is instead hinting the party may support a Dáil vote opposing water charges.

The last words of Padraig Pearse should be a challenge to every generation, according to one of the country’s most senior clergymen.

The State’s 100th anniversary commemoration of the 1916 Rising takes place at the graveside of the 14 executed insurrection leaders at Arbour Hill, Dublin, tomorrow.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has claimed that he “made every effort” to prevent a Fine Gael-Labour government and that it is not his job to “dictate” whether the outgoing coalition should be returned.

Almost half of sex offenders currently in the prison system are undertaking psychological treatment, with the Irish Prison Service stressing that other offenders were accessing other forms of support.

The need for sex offenders to have access to appropriate treatment services is recognised by Children First, the national guideline for the protection and welfare of children.

Convicted killer Mark Nash has lost his High Court bid to be returned from the Midlands Prison to Arbour Hill prison, Dublin, where he has spent the past 15 years.

Convicted murderer Mark Nash has complained about being jeered at in prison and says he has become distressed and depressed because he has no access to work or study.

A girl aged around 10 was picked up in a car and sexually assaulted by a priest who said he was looking for directions in West Cork.

Seven water protesters could be jailed or fined over allegations they have interfered with the installation of meters in North Dublin.

Plans are being put in place to deploy mobile phone blocking systems in prisons to prevent inmates running criminal operations from their cells.

Relatives of 1916 rebels are due to lead a military parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the uprising, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced.

A group of angry protesters gathered outside the GPO in Dublin this evening, loudly chanting anti water-charge slogans as political leaders announced plans for the 1916 centenary celebrations.

The Inspector of Prisons has been expressing concerns about bullying in Irish jails.

A man who was jailed in 2005 for the violent rape of three women he followed home has received a seven-year sentence after he confessed to carrying out two more sex attacks.

A court has heard a serial rapist who stalked his victims confessed to two further attacks on women after receiving psychological help in Arbour Hill prison.

Assaults on prison officers increased by 50% last year — and almost one-third of them occurred in a young offenders institution.

Serious overcrowding, violence and cuts in resources have impacted on inmates in the prison system, according to the Visiting Committee.

Convicted criminals have been gifted more than €750,000 in ‘bus money’ on release from jail over the past five years.

Bumper sales of cheese and onion crisps and bottles of Coca Cola were not enough to prevent profits tumbling at Mountjoy jail’s million-euro tuck shop.