Sunday 1 November 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. 21702Family law (recognition of foreign surrogacy adoption) · Co. Dublin · 30 Mar 2023

Supreme Court dismisses appeal on foreign surrogacy adoption in Dublin

A Northern man sought recognition in Ireland of a US stepparent adoption of his husband's genetic twins, born through a commercial surrogacy arrangement in the United States. The Adoption Authority of Ireland appealed against a High Court order that had recognised the US adoption. On 30 March 2023, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous seven-judge ruling, dismissed the appeal, holding that the commercial nature of the surrogacy arrangement did not prevent recognition of the US stepparent adoption order under the Adoption Act 2010. The court noted the surrogate mother had reiterated her consent to surrender all parental rights long after the birth of the children.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Northern man sought recognition in Ireland of a US stepparent adoption of his husband's genetic twins born through a commercial surrogacy arrangement.
Where
The children were born in the United States through a commercial surrogacy arrangement.
When
The Supreme Court delivered its ruling on 30 March 2023.
In court
  • The Adoption Authority of Ireland appealed against a High Court order that had recognised the US adoption.
  • Seven judges of the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the appeal.
Other details
  • The court held that the commercial nature of the surrogacy arrangement did not prevent recognition of the US stepparent adoption order under the Adoption Act 2010.
  • The surrogate mother reiterated her consent to surrender all parental rights long after the birth of the children.
  • A woman donated an egg while another woman in the US carried and gave birth to the children pursuant to a lawful commercial arrangement.
  • The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill of 2022 was noted by the court.
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe children were born in the US through a commercial surrogacy arrangement (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSeven judges unanimously held the ruling (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Adoption Authority of Ireland appealed against a High Court order (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe surrogate mother reiterated her consent to surrender all parental rights long after the birth (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill of 2022 was noted by the court (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    No policy barrier to recognising foreign adoption orders for children born via surrogacy, Supreme Court rules

    Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the Adoption Authority of Ireland's appeal, holding that the commercial nature of the surrogacy arrangement does not prevent recognition of the US stepparent adoption order under the Adoption Act 2010.

    accused, male, non-irish (judged from name)