Irish lawyers say Trump actions against Iran ‘may amount to war crimes’
President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A group of Ireland’s most senior barristers and solicitors has said the actions of US president Donald Trump against Iran “may amount to war crimes” and called on the Government to reproach the US president.
Ahead of Mr Trump’s arrival in Ireland later this week, the legal grouping admonished the president for his “illegal” war policies, which they said “are causing death and destruction on a massive scale”.
The group of more than 170 lawyers – including 40 senior counsel and 100 junior barristers – also called on the Government to take “effective action” to ensure that neither Irish airspace nor the country’s airports can be used “to support illegal international violence”.
In a statement signed by each of the lawyers – which they acknowledged had been “framed carefully” – the group also called for Ireland to support the International Criminal Court “against attack or sanction”, and to likewise take action to support the introduction of “economic sanctions” against Israel.
The statement alleges that Mr Trump’s military policy actions in attacking Iran and supporting Israel “are apparently motivated by self-interest and yet they are causing severe damage to the USA and world economy and risk causing global catastrophe”.
It says that the beginning of the US’ hostilities against Iran last March “was in breach of fundamental principles of international law”, while Mr Trump’s subsequent online threats to obliterate Iran’s civilisation “may amount to war crimes”.
“No credible case has been made that the attack on Iran was legal... primarily because there was no imminent threat of an attack by Iran on the USA or Israel,” it said.
It argues that Israel’s actions in Gaza since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, mean the country’s leaders “have a case to answer in the ICC on foot of the ‘use of starvation’ as a war tactic together with the destruction of ‘objects indispensable to the survival of the human population’ in the region”.
Reading the statement aloud at an event in Dublin, signatory and renowned barrister Michael O’Higgins said it had been made – notwithstanding the “severity” of its criticisms of Mr Trump – “with respect for the President of the United States and for the people of the USA who elected him”.
He added that the attack on Israel on October 7 “was a horrendous act of terrorism” which itself involved “reprehensible war crimes”, and that Israel had been “entitled to take action to defend itself”.
“But Israel’s right to defend itself does not give it the right to engage in unreasonable, disproportionate acts, such as killing very large numbers of civilians including thousands of children,” Mr O’Higgins added.
Read More
, causing death and destruction on a massive scale. These illegal wars are apparently motivated by self-interest and yet they are causing severe damage to the USA and world economy and risk causing global catastrophe. During President Trump’s election campaign in 2024, he gave the clear impression that he would not engage in wars which caused instability. Of all the untruths spoken by President Trump, this is particularly dangerous and damaging to the security and well-being of the United States and the world.
under International Law is similar to the laws within many nations: that death and destruction may be legal: a) if it is to defend against imminent or actual attack; and b) if the extent of the force and harm caused is reasonable and proportionate. This reflects the generally held desire to avoid bloodshed if that is reasonably possible; to hold responsible those who cause unnecessary harm; and to recognize that a failure to uphold this law would result in escalating cycles of violence.
, including the mass killing of its political leaders, was in breach of fundamental principles of International Law and threats of “no quarter” and of obliterating Iran’s civilisation may amount to war crimes. No credible case has been made that the attack on Iran was legal. This is primarily because there was no imminent threat of an attack by Iran on the USA or Israel; and the UN Security Council did not pass a resolution permitting such a war. The purported justifications put forward by the USA including a history of supporting 3rd parties to carry out unlawful acts of violence; developing nuclear weapons; and human rights abuses – do not justify war under International Law.
on 7th October was a horrendous act of terrorism and involved reprehensible war crimes. The State of Israel was entitled to take action to defend itself and to pursue those who were responsible for the attack. But Israel’s right to defend itself does not give it the right to engage in unreasonable, disproportionate acts, such as killing very large numbers of civilians including thousands of children; the use of starvation; destroying objects indispensable to the survival of the human population; forced displacement of the population; and hindering humanitarian aid. Israel’s leaders have a case to answer in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in respect of “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” The State of Israel also has a very strong case of genocide to answer in the International Court of Justice.
Successive US administrations have supported and enabled Israel in its illegal military actions by funding and supplying military equipment and munitions and by providing political and diplomatic support. But President Trump in particular has encouraged and facilitated Israel, in his first term in office, and since January 2025. The economic sanctions ordered by President Trump against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its judges because arrest warrants were issued for Israel’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister, amounts to an open attack on an institution which is designed to investigate and punish war crimes and crimes against humanity.
and actions are liable to be subjected to personal bullying – to be insulted/demeaned, threatened, sanctioned or worse. We note that President Trump himself and many of his supporters have also been subjected to insulting and demeaning treatment by large sections of the media and political establishment. But that does not excuse bullying and the abuse of power.
for the President of the United States of America and for the people of the USA who elected him, despite the severity of the criticisms contained in this statement. We maintain this respect, despite anger and disgust at what has been done and said by President Trump and his administration in causing, supporting and threatening illegal death and destruction.
Irish people have so many social, cultural, familial and economic ties with the US –our countries are friends. That does not mean that we do not speak truthfully and condemn the actions of friends when that is necessary.
- Clearly and publicly convey to President Trump Ireland’s opposition to violence and threats of violence which are in breach of International Law;
- Take effective action to ensure that the USA does not use Irish airspace or facilities (including Shannon Airport) to support illegal international violence;
- Take effective action to support the ICC and its personnel against attack or sanction;
- Take effective action to support the introduction of economic sanctions against Israel.
consider supporting peaceful demonstrations and engage in other peaceful and lawful activities in support of those objectives.
All lawyers who have signed this statement do so in a personal capacity and do not represent or speak on behalf of any other lawyer or organisation.
Teresa Blake, Ray Boland, Alan D.P. Brady, James Bridgeman, Paul Carroll, Lorcan Connolly, Garvan Corkery, Tom Creed, Daniel Cronin, James B. Dwyer, Padraig Dwyer, Vinóg Faughnan, Karl Finnegan, Colman Fitzgerald, Patrick Gageby, Carl Hanahoe, Hugh Hartnett, Vincent Heneghan, Gerard Humphreys, Jane Hyland, Ciaran Lewis, Mark Lynam, Michael Lynn, James MacGuill (RIP), Patricia McLoughlin, Grainne McMorrow, Barra McGrory, Eanna Mulloy, Proinsias Ó Maolchalain, Elizabeth O’Connell, Turlough O’Donnell, Michael L. O’Higgins, John O’Kelly, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, Eileen O’Leary, Dara Robinson, Colin Smith, Ercus Stewart, Marc Thompson-Grolimund, Kevin White.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
