Expression of Interest: Irish member on Council of Europe's ECRI

The Irish Department of Justice is seeking expressions of interest for an Irish member to serve on the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The position is for a five-year term commencing in summer 2026, with a closing date for applications on April 17, 2026.

Operation Encompass: Information Sharing for Child Protection

The Irish Department of Justice is progressing Operation Encompass, a new initiative for information sharing between An Garda Síochána and schools to protect children impacted by domestic violence. This initiative involves notifying schools within 24 hours of a domestic violence incident at a child's home to enable immediate support.

EU e-Evidence Package: Provider Data Sharing Obligations

The EU e-Evidence Package, effective in 2026, mandates that certain service providers must share user data with law enforcement upon legal request. Providers offering electronic communications, internet domain, or other information society services must register a designated establishment or legal representative within the EU.

Ireland Strengthens Suspicious Air Travel Pattern Detection

The Irish Department of Justice has amended the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 to enhance the detection of suspicious air travel patterns. These amendments align Ireland's Passenger Name Record (PNR) regime with an EU Court of Justice judgment, extending data processing to flights within the EU and strengthening controls on PNR data usage for identifying criminals and terrorists.

DEA Bans Bromazolam Nationwide

The DEA has added bromazolam, also known as 'Designer Xanax,' to the federal schedule of controlled substances at the request of Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. This Schedule I designation empowers law enforcement nationwide to address the dangerous synthetic drug, which has been linked to at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma.

Housing Ombudsman Hazards Report Calls for Early Warning Signs

The UK Housing Ombudsman has released a report on hazards in social housing, highlighting the need for landlords to identify early warning signs. The report, which follows casework examples, comes ahead of Phase 2 of Awaab's Law and identifies several landlords with recurring issues.

Police Service v Information Commissioner - Freedom of Information Act

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland is reviewing a decision concerning the Information Commissioner's power to request information from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The case centers on whether the PSNI can withhold legally privileged information from the Commissioner.

RKW Orthopaedics Ltd v Willand Developments Ltd - Case Judgment

The High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland has issued a judgment in the case of RKW Orthopaedics Ltd v Willand Developments Ltd. The proceedings involve applications for injunctive relief and damages related to a land dispute, as well as an application to remit the case to the county court. The judgment addresses both the interlocutory injunction and the remittal application.

Logan v The King - Sentencing Remarks

The Crown Court in Northern Ireland has delivered sentencing remarks in the case of R v Noel Logan. The defendant was convicted of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life on three separate occasions in Londonderry between 2017 and 2019. The judgment was approved by the court for handing down on March 13, 2026.

FHWA Information Collection Request for Culvert Grant Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has submitted a new information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert AOP). This notice seeks public comments on the proposed information collection, which supports grant solicitations established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.