Ireland Supreme Court to hear appeal by two women over refusal to quarantine after Dubai trip
On 2 April 2021, Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32) were arrested at Dublin Airport on their return from the UAE. They are alleged to have refused to go to a designated quarantine hotel, saying they could not afford it, and were charged with breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021. The District Court granted bail the day after the arrest, but they could not take it up, and they were held at Mountjoy women's prison until a High Court hearing led to their release. In 2023 the High Court dismissed their application to stop the prosecution, and on 2 November 2023 the Supreme Court agreed to hear their appeal against that refusal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Nov
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two women were charged with breaching Covid-19 quarantine requirements under the Health (Amendment) Act 2021.
- Where
- The women were arrested at Dublin Airport.
- When
- The women were arrested on 2 April 2021 on their return from the UAE.
- Other details
- Sources differ on the trip: one describes a holiday in Dubai, while another says the women intended to have cosmetic surgery in the UAE but did not.
- The judicial review challenged the delegation of powers to the Minister for Health to require mandatory quarantine for people arriving from certain states.
- If convicted, the women face fines of up to 2,000 euro and several months' imprisonment.
- Cause
- The women reportedly refused to go to a designated quarantine hotel, saying they could not afford it.
- Charges
- The women were charged with breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021.
- In court
- The District Court granted bail the day after the arrest, but the women could not take it up because they could not afford it.
- The women were held at Mountjoy women's prison before being released following a High Court hearing.
- In 2023 Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger dismissed the women's application to prevent their proposed prosecution in the District Court.
- On 2 November 2023 the Supreme Court agreed to hear the women's appeal against the High Court's refusal to halt the prosecution.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe women were arrested at Dublin Airport. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe women were arrested on April 2, 2021, on their return from the UAE. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe women refused to go to the designated quarantine hotel, saying they could not afford it. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe women were charged with breaching section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe District Court granted bail the day after the arrest, but the women could not take it up because they could not afford it. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe women were detained at Mountjoy women's prison before being released following a High Court hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtEarlier this year, a High Court judge dismissed the women's application to prevent their proposed prosecution in the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court has agreed to hear the women's appeal against the High Court's refusal to halt their prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIf convicted, the women face fines of up to €2,000 and several months' imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Nov2023Court to hear appeals from women who refused to quarantine after landing from Dubai
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the women's appeal against the High Court's refusal to halt their prosecution. The article also sets out the quarantine rules, the women's bail and detention, and the issues the court will consider. It does not name any case already in the list.
accused, Niamh Mulreany, 27, female, named, irish (judged from name)Niamh Mulreanyaccused, Kirstie McGrath, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Kirstie McGrath