Thursday 29 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. 6360Breach of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021 (alleged) · Co. Dublin · 2 Apr 2021

Supreme Court reserves judgment in women's appeal against Covid-19 quarantine prosecution

Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32) were arrested at Dublin Airport on Good Friday, 2 April 2021, after returning from Dubai, and are accused of allegedly refusing to quarantine at a hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were charged with breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021, and although granted bail the day after their arrest they could not afford to take it up, so they were held at Mountjoy women's prison until a High Court hearing secured their release. In 2023 the High Court refused their application to stop the District Court prosecution, and the women appealed directly to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal, reported on 7 March 2024, and will deliver it at a later date.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32) are accused of allegedly refusing to quarantine at a hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Where
The two women were arrested at Dublin Airport.
When
The arrests took place on Good Friday, 2 April 2021.
Cause
  • The women returned to Ireland from a holiday in Dubai, and they said they had intended to undergo cosmetic surgery in the UAE but did not.
  • Both women refused to go to the hotel, saying they could not afford the cost of the stay.
Charges
The women were charged with allegedly breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021.
Sentence
If convicted, the women face fines of up to €2,000 and several months' imprisonment.
Other details
  • The women were granted bail the day after their arrest but could not afford to take it up, and were held at Mountjoy women's prison before being released following a High Court hearing.
  • The women argue that the Minister for Health's designation of states for mandatory quarantine was unconstitutional, and challenge the delegation of certain powers to the Minister.
In court
  • In 2023 the High Court, in a ruling by Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger, dismissed the women's application to prevent their prosecution before the District Court.
  • The women appealed directly to the Supreme Court.
  • The Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal, as reported on 7 March 2024, and will give its judgment at a later date.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe two women are accused of allegedly refusing to quarantine at a hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe two women were arrested at Dublin Airport. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe arrests took place on Good Friday, 2 April 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe women said they had intended to undergo cosmetic surgery in the UAE but did not. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeBoth women refused to go to the hotel, saying they could not afford the cost of the stay. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe women were charged with breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeIf convicted, the women face fines of up to €2,000 and several months' imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court dismissed the women's application to prevent their prosecution before the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe women appealed directly to the Supreme Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court has reserved judgment and will give it at a later date. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe women were granted bail the day after their arrest but could not afford to take it up. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe women were held at Mountjoy women's prison before being released following a High Court hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe women argue the Minister for Health's designation of states for mandatory quarantine was unconstitutional. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Supreme Court reserves judgment in women’s appeals to halt prosecution over Covid-19 travel

    Reports the Supreme Court hearing and reserved judgment in the women's appeal to halt their prosecution. Adds the legal grounds challenged, the High Court's earlier ruling, and the women's bail and detention history.

    accused, Niamh Mulreany, 27, female, named, irish (judged from name)Niamh Mulreanyaccused, Kirstie McGrath, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Kirstie McGrath