Ruling on human trafficking could see the State hit for damages

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.

The State could also face potential actions for damages and it is possible convictions could be challenged.

The warning comes after Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley ruled in the High Court on Wednesday Ireland’s system of identifying people suspected of committing a crime as victims of human trafficking was “inadequate” — and not in compliance with European human rights law.