The US Supreme Court upholding Donald Trump’s travel ban is a big win for the president – he announced it on Twitter in capital letters, followed by, “Wow!” The president had faced the embarrassment of seeing a series of federal court rulings invalidate or scale back earlier versions of the ban, with 15 months of legal wrangling. Earlier versions of the ban had faced staunch criticism and protests about essentially being dressed-up Muslim bans. The latest version involves five of the seven countries originally targeted – Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Iraq – but includes limits on North Korea and Venezuela to try and render such criticism moot. When the first version of the ban was implemented in February 2017 there was chaos at airports as border officials refused to admit people who were on flights when the rules went into effect. Parallels can be made between those scenes and the recent ones of children in held in cages after … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Supreme Court has upheld Trump’s travel ban – there will be far reaching consequences
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Supreme court clears way for extradition of man connected to Silk Road website
By Ann O'LoughlinThe way has been cleared by the Supreme Court for the extradition to the United States of a Wicklow man, alleged to be an administrator of the Silk Road website which dealt with illegal drugs and hacking software. Gary Davis of Johnstown Court, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow will now face trial in the US on charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering.He had opposed his extradition on grounds including that he suffers from a form of autism known as Asperger’s Syndrome. If convicted in the US Mr Davis could receive a life sentence.This morning, in what was a unanimous decision, the five-judge court comprised of Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell, Mr Justice William McKechnie, Mr Justice John MacMenamin, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne and Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley dismissed his appeal aimed at preventing his extradition to the US. Giving the court's decision, Mr Justice McKechnie said the court … [Read more...] about Supreme court clears way for extradition of man connected to Silk Road website
S.Africa’s Cape Town mayor’s party membership reinstated by court
The mayor of Cape Town, South Africa's second largest city, Wednesday had her political party membership reinstated by courts following a bitter dispute that has rocked the party ahead of elections next year. The ruling reinstates Patricia De Lille's membership in the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's largest opposition party, securing her seven-year-old position as mayor and on the city council as well. High Court judge Andre le Grange ruled that the party had failed to follow proper procedures in withdrawing the mayor's membership, a move that was invalid and illegal. "The party was required to give her an opportunity to submit evidence," le Grange said. "(...) It follows that on this ground alone, the cessation of Ms De Lille's membership cannot stand." The party rescinded De Lille's membership last month over a radio interview in which she indicated her intention to quit the DA as soon as she "had cleared her name." The leadership of South Africa's second city has become a … [Read more...] about S.Africa’s Cape Town mayor’s party membership reinstated by court
Heterosexual couple win right to civil partnership after Supreme Court ruling
A heterosexual couple have won a legal bid at the UK's highest court for the right to have a civil partnership instead of marriage. Rebecca Steinfeld, 37, and Charles Keidan, 41, had been prevented from having the legal union because the Civil Partnership Act 2004 says only same-sex couples are eligible.The couple, who have two young daughters, claim the government's position was "incompatible with equality law" and the Supreme Court in London has now ruled they are being discriminated against.The academics, from Hammersmith in west London, have "deep-rooted and genuine ideological objections to marriage" and were "not alone" in their views, according to their lawyer.Barrister Karon Monaghan QC said matrimony was "historically heteronormative and patriarchal" and the couple's objections were "not frivolous".Since March 2014, same-sex couples can choose whether to enter a civil partnership or to marry.But this has not been possible for different sex couples which led Ms Steinfeld and … [Read more...] about Heterosexual couple win right to civil partnership after Supreme Court ruling
Inquest of tragic mum, 32, who died at Hull court begins
An inquest into the death of a mother who collapsed at a Hull court begins today. Mother-of-four Hayley Gascoigne, 32, died after suffering a cardiac arrest in the public waiting area of Hull Combined Court Centre on January 26 last year. She had collapsed after listening to a ruling over a family legal battle. A pre-inquest review in August last year found she was in a "potentially survivable situation". That was after a damning report by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust identified a series of failings by the rapid response vehicle paramedic who attended. The report found he failed to treat Hayley for four minutes and did not immediately or accurately examine her. He also did not recognise she had a "shockable" heart rhythm, and did not shock her heart with a defibrillator. This was not challenged by the two-strong ambulance crew which arrived later. We will be reporting live from the inquest, which is expected to last three days. Follow the live updates in our blog below. … [Read more...] about Inquest of tragic mum, 32, who died at Hull court begins