Mandatory quarantine laws 'illogical and unreasonable', High Court told

The High Court in Dublin is examining two separate challenges to mandatory hotel quarantine requirements for people arriving in Ireland from designated countries. Counsel for the applicants argued that the measures breach constitutional rights to liberty and amount to unlawful detention. One applicant is a healthcare worker based in Letterkenny, County Donegal, who returned from South Africa on 9 April and has since tested negative for Covid-19 twice. The second applicant, a fully vaccinated healthcare worker from Dublin, returned from Dubai on 10 April. Both cases raise questions about the proportionality of the scheme and whether individual circumstances receive adequate consideration. The State's medical adviser, Dr Darina O'Flanagan, defended the quarantine measures as necessary and proportionate responses to pandemic risks, particularly regarding variants. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore is hearing the inquiry and indicated he would deliver a decision shortly after proceedings conclude. The hearing resumed on Saturday morning for State submissions.