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. 6531Identifying juvenile offenders on social media (breach of Children Act restriction)

Supreme Court grants leave to appeal in Declan Corcoran case

Declan Corcoran is alleged to have identified two juvenile convicts on social media and added inflammatory comment, in breach of a Children Act restriction. The sources give no incident date, county, or ages for the juveniles. The offence is triable either way, and a District Court order refused jurisdiction to try it summarily. The High Court quashed that order, but on 16 November 2023 the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court order. On 30 April 2024 the Supreme Court granted leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal, and the outcome of the substantive appeal is not stated.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Declan Corcoran is alleged to have identified two juvenile convicts on social media and added inflammatory comment.
  • The sources do not give the ages or sex of the two juveniles.
Charges
  • The offence of identifying juvenile offenders on social media is a breach of a Children Act restriction.
  • The offence is triable either way, and summary disposal requires the consent of the DPP.
When
The sources do not give the date of the incident.
Where
The sources do not give a county or location for the incident.
In court
  • A District Court order refused jurisdiction to try the accused summarily.
  • The High Court quashed the District Court order refusing jurisdiction.
  • On 16 November 2023 the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court order.
  • The Court of Appeal order is dated 16 January 2024, and the application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court was made on 29 February 2024.
  • On 30 April 2024 the Supreme Court granted leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal, with Charleton J, Woulfe J and Collins J sitting.
Other details
  • The Supreme Court will hear the general issue of how Articles 38.1 and 38.2 of the Constitution apply to the classification and disposal of offences.
  • The outcome of the substantive appeal is not stated in the sources.
  • The sources give no nationality for Declan Corcoran.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is alleged to have identified two juvenile convicts on social media and added inflammatory comment. (courts.ie)
  • chargeThe offence is triable either way, and summary disposal requires the consent of the DPP. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe High Court quashed a District Court order refusing jurisdiction to try the accused summarily. (courts.ie)
  • courtOn 16 November 2023 the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court order. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court granted leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court will hear the general issue of how Articles 38.1 and 38.2 of the Constitution apply to the classification and disposal of offences. (courts.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2024
    In courtCourts Service judgment, first report
    [2024] IESCDET 47 Supreme Court: The People (at the suit of the Director of Public Prosecutions) -v- Declan Corcoran

    Supreme Court determination granting leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal on the classification and disposal of the offence. The article does not state the outcome of the substantive appeal.

    accused, Declan Corcoran, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Corcoran