Dublin Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa fails in High Court bid to be restored to mosque duties
Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa, a 69-year-old man, has been locked out of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin, since April after the mosque was closed over health and safety concerns. He sought a High Court order requiring the Islamic Cultural Foundation of Ireland to restore him to aspects of his position and duties that do not require the mosque to be reopened. On 7 August 2025, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds refused his application for interim relief, noting that he had seriously delayed in bringing the proceedings and that his application had been brought without proper notice to the foundation. The case was adjourned to mid-September, with directions for the exchange of written evidence and for the foundation to address the health and safety concerns that gave rise to the closure.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Aug
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sheikh Hussein Halawa, 69, has been locked out of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin, since April after the mosque was closed over health and safety concerns.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin.
- When
- The mosque was closed in April 2025 and the High Court hearing took place on 7 August 2025.
- Cause
- The closure of the mosque was attributed to health and safety concerns.
- Investigation
- Judge Reynolds noted that certain incidents had been reported to the gardaí and that there may be an ongoing garda investigation.
- In court
- On 7 August 2025, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds refused Halawa's application for an interim order requiring the Islamic Cultural Foundation of Ireland to restore him to aspects of his position and duties.
- The case was adjourned to mid-September 2025 with directions for the exchange of written evidence.
- The foundation was directed to address the health and safety concerns that gave rise to the closure of the mosque.
- Other details
- Judge Reynolds said Halawa had seriously delayed in bringing the proceedings since the closure in April.
- Mediation talks had terminated on the Wednesday before the hearing.
- Halawa's application was brought without proper notice to the foundation, and the foundation had not been served with papers backing up his application.
- Halawa was continuing to be paid even though the mosque had been closed.
- Halawa was left without invitation to public ceremonies that included the President of Ireland, the Taoiseach and Government Ministers.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHalawa has been locked out of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin, since April. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHalawa is 69 and approaching retirement. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationJudge Reynolds was concerned there may be an ongoing garda investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCertain incidents had been reported to the gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was refused a High Court order requiring the Islamic Cultural Foundation of Ireland to restore him to aspects of his position and duties. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Leonie Reynolds put the matter back to mid-September. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe foundation was directed to address the health and safety concerns that gave rise to the closure of the mosque. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Reynolds said she was not disposed to granting interim injunctions to Halawa. (irishtimes.com)
- courtOther avenues available to Halawa include defamation proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJudge Reynolds said Halawa had seriously delayed in bringing the proceedings since the closure in April. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMediation talks had terminated on the Wednesday before the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHalawa's application was brought without proper notice to the foundation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe request to perform duties outside the mosque had not been made through correspondence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe foundation had not been served with papers backing up his application. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHalawa was continuing to be paid even though the mosque had been closed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHalawa was left without invitation to public ceremonies that included the President of Ireland, the Taoiseach and Government Ministers. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Aug2025Dublin Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa fails in High Court bid
First report of the High Court proceedings; Halawa's application for interim relief was refused and the case was adjourned to mid-September with directions for exchange of written evidence.
victim, Sheikh Hussein Halawa, 69, male, non-irish (judged from name)Sheikh Hussein Halawa