COVID-19 has led to a near shutdown of the Courts with only ongoing criminal trials and urgent matters being heard. This has led to a delay in the administration of justice and a congested judicial system. Virtual courtrooms were first announced in Ireland in January 2020 as part of the Court Service ten-year strategy document. Plans to modernize the Court service and develop virtual courtrooms have been accelerated in response to COVID-19...

Last week, up to 100 people gathered at the round hall of the Four Courts in protest at emergency COVID-19 measures passed by the Oireachtas. The legislation challenged includes the Health Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act of 2020...