Patent Application: Regulatory Macrophages for Treating Angiopathies

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3681997A1 titled 'Regulatory Macrophages for Treating Angiopathies' filed by Ferring Ventures SA. The application covers regulatory macrophages for therapeutic use in treating angiopathies and has been assigned IPC classifications related to pharmaceutical compositions and cell-based therapies. The inventor is Fred Fändrich.

The People v James Flynn - Criminal Appeal on Retrial Powers

The Supreme Court of Ireland in [2026] IESC 21 addressed whether a retrial can be ordered for an offence of which the accused was not convicted. The court examined section 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1993 concerning the Court of Appeal's power to order retrials. The appellant James Flynn was convicted of conspiracy to burgle under an amended indictment, which the Court of Appeal later quashed before ordering a retrial.

L.A. v Chief Appeals Officer - Social Welfare Judicial Review

The Supreme Court of Ireland delivered judgment in L.A. v The Chief Appeals Officer & Ors [2026] IESC 22 on 25 March 2026. The case concerned whether judicial review was available as a remedy in a social welfare benefits dispute, examining the established principle that adequate alternative remedies may preclude judicial review. The court applied established administrative law principles to the specific circumstances of the social protection appeals process.

A.B v Chief International Protection Officer - Asylum Judicial Review

The Supreme Court of Ireland issued a judgment clarifying when applicants for international protection may seek judicial review of decisions by the International Protection Officer when a statutory appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal is also available. The court addressed the long-established discretion of courts to decline judicial review where alternative remedies exist, in the context of asylum claims involving subsequent applications under s. 22 of the International Protection Act 2015.

O'Callaghan v Pepper Finance - Mortgage Dispute Interlocutory Ruling

The High Court of Ireland dismissed an interlocutory injunction application by Pauline O'Callaghan seeking to restrain Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC from selling or marketing two mortgaged properties. The court found the plaintiff failed to establish a fair case for trial regarding challenges to Pepper's ownership of her mortgages. The court also found the balance of justice did not favor the injunction given plaintiff's delay and acquiescence, with damages considered an adequate remedy.

Riordan v Judicial Council - Judicial Review

The High Court of Ireland dismissed an opposed application for leave to proceed by way of judicial review brought by Denis Riordan against the Complaints Review Committee of the Judicial Council. The Applicant challenged three determinations upholding inadmissibility decisions regarding his complaints against three Supreme Court judges who refused him leave to appeal. The Court found the Applicant failed to establish an arguable case that the CRC acted unlawfully or irrationally.

T.G.O'R v NCSE - Judicial Review of Assessment of Need Process

The High Court of Ireland found in favour of minor applicants challenging the National Council for Special Education's blanket policy of nominating school principals or teachers for Assessment of Need (AON) assessments under Section 8(3) of the Disability Act 2005. The Court held that NCSE's fixed policy under Circular 0025/2024 unlawfully fettered its statutory discretion by failing to consider whether nominees possessed appropriate expertise for each individual child's needs. The HSE confirmed applicants are entitled to new Assessment Reports upon request.

ByteDance Ltd v Coimisiún na Meán - DSA Investigation Challenge

The High Court of Ireland issued judgment on ByteDance Ltd's interlocutory application challenging Coimisiún na Meán's investigation into TikTok under the Digital Services Act. The investigation concerns suspected contraventions of Article 16 (illegal content notification mechanisms) and Article 25, as well as the 'provider issue' regarding the legal entity structure of TikTok's EU operations. Case Record No. 2025/1939 JR.

Guerin v O'Doherty - Defamation Appeal

James Guerin succeeded in his defamation appeal against Gemma O'Doherty before the Irish Court of Appeal. The three-judge panel upheld the dismissal of O'Doherty's motion to strike out the proceedings, finding the case presented issues that warranted full trial consideration. The defendant had sought dismissal under O.19, r.28 of the Rules of the Superior Courts, arguing the proceedings were malicious, vexatious, and a threat to press freedom.

PT (A Minor) v Health Service Executive - Costs Ruling

The Irish Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by a minor suing through his parents against the Health Service Executive regarding a modular trial order. Following the dismissal, the court ordered the appellant to pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. The ruling applies principles from the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 and the Recast Order 99 of the Rules of the Superior Courts.