Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5260Unregistered medical practice (male circumcision on a child) · Co. Dublin

Rabbi charged over circumcision remains in custody after High Court inquiry

Jonathan Abraham, a 47-year-old London-based rabbi, is accused of carrying out a male circumcision on a young child without being registered as a medical practitioner, an alleged offence at an address in Dublin 15. He was arrested in Dublin in late July and charged under the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act. The District Court refused him bail, and the High Court, after directing an inquiry into his detention under Article 40.4.2 of the Irish Constitution, found the detention lawful and did not require his release. He remains remanded in custody in Cloverhill Prison, and his appeal against the refusal of bail is due to be heard later this month.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court11 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A London-based rabbi is accused of carrying out a circumcision on a young child without being registered as a medical practitioner.
Other details
  • The suspect, Jonathan Abraham, is a 47-year-old man.
  • He claimed his rights were breached because the prison failed to provide kosher food, which is the only food he can eat, and because he could not use Tefillin.
  • The prison denied he was held unlawfully but accepted failings in providing kosher food, and the High Court found the prison had failed to provide it.
  • The judge directed the State to pay 50 per cent of his legal costs.
Where
  • The alleged offence took place at an address in Dublin 15, County Dublin.
  • He is remanded in custody in Cloverhill Prison.
When
He was arrested in Dublin in late July.
Charges
He is charged with a surgical procedure, male circumcision on a child, without being a registered medical practitioner, contrary to the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act.
In court
  • The District Court refused him bail.
  • The High Court directed an inquiry into his detention under Article 40.4.2 of the Irish Constitution and found the detention lawful, so his release was not required.
  • He has a pending appeal against the refusal of bail, due to be heard later this month.
Sentence
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of €130,000.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA London-based rabbi is accused of carrying out a circumcision on a young child without being registered as a medical practitioner. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offence is alleged to have happened at an address in Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHe is remanded in custody in Cloverhill Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe was arrested in Dublin in late July. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe rabbi is charged with a surgical procedure, male circumcision on a child, without being a registered medical practitioner, contrary to the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe District Court denied him bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court directed an inquiry into his detention under Article 40.4.2 of the Irish Constitution. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court found his detention was lawful and did not require his release. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe has an appeal pending against the refusal of bail, due to be heard later this month. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge directed the State to pay 50 per cent of his legal costs. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceIf convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of €130,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe claimed his rights were breached because the prison failed to provide kosher food. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe also claimed his rights were breached because he could not use Tefillin. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prison denied he was held unlawfully but accepted failings in providing kosher food. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Aug2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Rabbi arrested over illegal circumcision remains in prison after failing in human rights claim

    High Court rejected the rabbi's Article 40.4.2 challenge to his detention and found the prison had failed to provide kosher food. He is remanded in custody, was refused bail by the District Court, and has a bail appeal pending.

    accused, Jonathan Abraham, 47, male, namedJonathan Abrahamvictim