Courts / Dublin / Report

Supreme Court agrees to hear 'Dubai Two' case

Date
2023-11-02

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of Niamh Mulreany (27) and Kirstie McGrath (32), known as the "Dubai Two", who challenge the High Court's refusal to halt their prosecution for refusing mandatory hotel quarantine after returning from the UAE. The women were arrested on 2 April 2021 at Dublin Airport and charged under the 1947 Health Act for breaching quarantine requirements that applied to travellers from the UAE. They argued that the Minister for Health's designation of states for mandatory quarantine breached the separation of powers and was unconstitutional, and that the appeals process for those refusing quarantine was unlawful under Article 37 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court panel, comprising Justices Charleton, Murray and Donnelly, will consider whether the measures violate Article 40.4, the nature of the emergency, the delegation of powers and the constitutionality of the appeals process. No hearing date has been set. The case remains at the Supreme Court stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Supreme Court agrees to hear 'Dubai Two' case. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Friday, April 2nd, 2021 Incident
March 2021 Other
2023-11-02 Publication

Why: They were granted bail by the District Court the day after their arrest but were unable to take it up because they could not afford it. CNI source report