Ireland Reports

Gardaí investigate online calls for “direct action” after arson attacks on properties linked to asylum accommodation

January 8, 2026 · Latest

Gardaí are investigating a series of arson attacks on properties linked to asylum accommodation amid growing concern about online calls for “direct action” against centres housing international protection applicants. In recent months, several buildings earmarked for use as accommodation have been damaged or destroyed before residents could move in. Gardaí have repeatedly warned that the […]

Man armed with knives remanded after Blanchardstown Garda station standoff

January 8, 2026 · Latest

A man accused of threatening Gardaí during a standoff at Blanchardstown Garda station has been remanded in custody following a court appearance, where a psychiatric assessment was also ordered. The incident, which occurred in January 2026, involved a 30-year-old man who was reported to be armed with multiple knives. He was arrested following the standoff […]

Indian immigration to Ireland rises but online claims about a sudden asylum surge don’t match the data

January 8, 2026 · Institutions

Ireland has seen a clear increase in immigration from India in recent years, driven largely by work and study pathways, according to official data compiled by EMN Ireland. The trend has prompted commentary online, including claims of a sudden spike in asylum applications but the available official figures do not support the idea of an […]

False “IPAS” claim spreads online after Swedish criminal case misattributed to Ireland

January 8, 2026 · Latest

A social media claim alleging that a “Swedish” man involved in a violent criminal case was living in an Irish IPAS centre has been widely circulated online but available reporting indicates the case relates to Sweden and has been misrepresented as an Irish incident The original post, shared in Irish social media groups, attempted to […]

“Record homelessness reaches new high as housing and migration debate intensifies”

January 8, 2026 · Institutions

Ireland’s homelessness crisis reached a new record level in November 2025, with almost 17,000 people living in State-funded emergency accommodation, according to figures published by the Department of Housing. The total included 11,675 adults and 5,321 children, marking the highest number of homeless children recorded since official counts began. The latest data show the number […]

“One in every four people in Ireland is a foreigner”

January 7, 2026 · Investigations

I have noticed a large number of these claims circulating on social media in recent months asserts that “one in every four people living in Ireland is a foreigner”. It is often presented as a statement of fact, accompanied by references to official statistics and recent migration into the State. As the claim has gained […]

New Central Mental Hospital still battling serious failings long after watchdog intervention

December 30, 2025 · Investigations

Ireland’s Central Mental Hospital (CMH), opened in north Dublin just three years ago and promoted as a flagship, state-of-the-art forensic facility, is continuing to struggle with serious safety and governance failures more than a year after formal intervention by the Mental Health Commission. Records released under Freedom of Information show that a 2024 inspection found […]

Faster asylum decisions, more court challenges: why Justice sought a €15 million legal war chest

December 22, 2025 · The Record

The Department of Justice warned that efforts to accelerate asylum decision-making were driving a sharp increase in judicial reviews, with projected legal costs approaching €15 million. Internal submissions released under FOI show officials believed that while quicker first-instance decisions could reduce accommodation and welfare costs, they inevitably resulted in a higher volume of refusals — […]

Data protection watchdog sought major funding boost amid EU scrutiny

December 5, 2025 · Investigations

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) sought a substantial increase in State funding as it came under growing European scrutiny over its regulation of large technology companies, according to internal records released under Freedom of Information. In pre-budget submissions, the watchdog requested an increase of approximately €10 million, arguing that enforcement of data-protection rights must be […]

Unpublished review warned farmer backlash over climate policy should not be underestimated

December 3, 2025 · The Record

An unpublished government review warned that Ireland risks sustained resistance from farming communities over climate policy unless engagement strategies are urgently improved. The assessment, prepared for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, described growing distrust of the State’s climate agenda among rural constituencies and cautioned that grassroots opposition could quickly gather momentum. It […]