Candidates today are being urged to come forward to fill the roles of Chairperson and the six Ordinary Members positions, at the newly established Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann [the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)].
The GRAI is a new statutory body that will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland. Once established, it will focus on public safety and well-being – covering gambling online and in-person – and will have the power to regulate advertising, gambling websites and other applications (apps).
Historic legislation setting out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of the GRAI passed both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this month and has already been signed into law by President M.D.Higgins.
Closing date for applications is 3:00pm on Friday November 15th, 2024. Applications for the roles can be found here at Public Jobs.ie.
A Garda road safety operation, which began last Thursday, October 24th 2024, at 7:00am, detected more than 1,200 drivers speeding.
Among those observed speeding was a driver travelling at 167km/h in an 80km/h zone. Another driver was caught travelling at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone, while another was observed travelling at 88km/h in a 50km/h zone.
Also on Irish roads, over this same period three people were killed, bringing the total number of road deaths, so far this year to 147.
Adding to these obvious dangers, this weekend’s Garda operation, arrested 158 drivers on suspicion of driving while intoxicated by alcohol and drugs. This is bourne out by the fact that yesterday a learner driver aged in his 20s, while holding no insurance was caught driving at 170km/h in a 120km/h zone. The offender tested positive for drugs on the roadside, before being arrested and charged with dangerous driving.
Gardaí are appealing, yet again, for all road users to slow down, especially in recognition of the fact we are presently experiencing colder, wetter and darker evenings in the season ahead.
Gardaí have described this driving behaviour by motorists, as making deliberate and conscious decisions to do so; thus showing little regard for their own lives, the lives of passengers and other road users.
Gardaí are appealed for all road users to slow down, especially in recognition of the fact Ireland is presently experiencing colder, wetter and darker evenings into the Xmas season ahead.
Garda investigations remain ongoing, following the hospitalisation of a man who suffered serious injuries following an assault in Co Tipperary at lunchtime yesterday, (Thursday October 24th 2024).
Gardaí and emergency services were summoned to the scene of the attack, which took place in the Corville area of Roscrea, North Tipperary at approximately 1:00pm. The incident resulted in one person being taken to hospital for treatment of what were described as serious injuries.
Gardaí immediately launched a full investigation into the incident and a Family Liaison Officer was appointed. As yet, no arrests have been made as Garda enquiries continue.
Gardaí have since issued an appeal for any witnesses; particularly seeking anyone who may have dash-cam or phone footage, taken from between 12:00pm and 1:30pm, in the vicinity of the incident, occurring on Thursday, October 24th, to make immediate contact with them.
Gardaí can be contacted at Nenagh Garda Station on Tel: 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line on Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed at any Garda Station.
An additional 20 Judges to be appointed on a phased basis as part of the continuing implementation of the Judicial Planning Working Group Report.
Approval follows assessment of impact of 24 new judges appointed in 2023 – shown to have had a positive impact on number of court sittings, number of cases resolved and waiting times.
Additional 20 appointments will support the establishment of the Family Courts.
Approval has been received for 20 additional judges to be appointed on a phased basis, to support timely access to justice across the courts system. The report from the Judicial Planning Working Group, (set up in February 2021) in their final report published in 2023, recommended the appointment of 44 additional judges in two phases.
A first phase of 24 additional judges was approved and appointed throughout 2023. This built on other judicial appointments brought the total number of additional appointments to 31. Following the completion of an assessment on the impact of the judges appointed in Phase 1 and progress made in other areas of the report’s implementation, the appointment of a second phase of 20 additional judges has now been approved.
The impact assessment also highlighted the need for Phase 2 of additional judicial resources to build on the progress already made.
Areas identified for continued focus to enhance the timely administration of justice across the courts include:
Further reducing waiting times and increasing clearance rates.
Enabling the courts to support new and growing areas of business.
Facilitating additional training days for judges to ensure that the Judiciary are attuned to the needs of victims and equipped to deal with increasing case complexity.
Actions which have been delivered in the first phase of judicial expansion include:
An initial trial project to stagger the court vacation was ran in the High Court this summer.
The Presidents of the Circuit and District Courts are working with the Courts Service to develop protocols for scheduling sittings on all five working days of the week (Monday – Friday).
Cases are being stacked in the same courtroom where feasible (i.e. one judge conducts a hearing in the morning and another judge conducts a hearing in the afternoon in the same courtroom) and to increase the use of hybrid and remote hearings to maximise the use of courtroom space.
A report has been completed which has examined further reforms to empower the Court Presidents to ensure the maximum and efficient use of judicial resources in their court jurisdictions.
A stakeholder engagement group, which comprises representatives of the Department, the Courts Service, judicial observers and affected stakeholders, continues to meet regularly to consider the impact of the implementation of the JPWG recommendations on stakeholders and to identify cross-organisational efficiencies, which may arise in this context.
€61m for Garda overtime to increase high visibility policing.
Prisons budget reaches €500m for the first time, funding additional staff and the construction of new prison places.
A second new helicopter to be purchased for An Garda Síochána.
Additional investment in 100 Garda vehicles and 2 Water Canon to maintain public safety.
Additional funding of €98m of taxpayer funding has been secured for allocation across the Justice Sector up to the end of this year.
This increased funding will enable An Garda Síochána to bolster high visibility policing and support serious crime investigations throughout the country. A further €61m has been provided for Garda overtime to increase high visibility policing. This has been funded by way of €32m of additional funding and €29m from within the Garda vote.
Key highlights of the Garda capital investment for 2024 include:–
€5.8 million for the Rosslare Euro Port project, strengthening border security and operational efficiency at this strategic location.
€6 million to acquire approximately 100 new vehicles, including public order vans and high-powered vehicles for serious crime units, enhancing the Garda fleet’s capacity to respond to a variety of operational needs.
€8 million will mean that on top of a new helicopter being delivered in Q1 of 2025 a second helicopter can be purchased for the Garda Air Support Unit, improving aerial surveillance and response capabilities.
In addition, An Garda Síochána will procure two ‘water cannon’ to further enhance Public Order tactical capacity, with delivery scheduled for 2025. This equipment is expected to be a key asset in maintaining public safety.
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