Ireland Case No. 4590Constitutional challenge (birth certificates under the Witness Security Programme)
Couple in witness protection lose Supreme Court appeal over birth certificates
A couple who entered the witness protection programme lost their Supreme Court appeal, in which they claimed a right to new birth certificates under their assumed names. The Supreme Court held that no constitutional right requires the State to issue such certificates.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Nov
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA couple in the witness protection programme lost a Supreme Court appeal over new birth certificates under their assumed names. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe husband had provided information to gardaí on the activities of a criminal gang. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court dismissed the couple's case the previous year. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in three concurring judgments. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Chief Justice said the couple could not rely on a right to identity to obtain the relief they sought. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe couple were accepted for relocation to another jurisdiction under the Witness Security Programme. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThey were not given new birth and marriage certificates in the new jurisdiction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo one has a constitutional right to a birth certificate in terms of their own choosing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Chief Justice said any mechanism for new birth certificates is a matter for the Oireachtas. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Nov2025Couple in witness protection lose Supreme Court appeal over new birth certs claim
Reports the Supreme Court's dismissal of the couple's appeal and the reasoning of the Chief Justice and the concurring judgments.
victim, malevictim, female