News
The ACJRD’s 28th Annual Conference, “Opportunities and Challenges of Technological Innovation in the Criminal Justice System,” took place on Thursday, 12th June 2025 at the Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2.
In an era of rapid technological change, Ireland’s criminal justice system stands at a crossroads. This year’s conference provided a timely platform to explore how digital transformation can enhance justice delivery — while addressing the ethical and operational challenges that accompany it.
The Conference Report captures rich insights from plenary speakers and thematic sessions on:
đź’ˇ Artificial Intelligence and legal practice
đź’ˇ Moral responsibility in digital policing
đź’ˇ Digital evidence and data governance
đź’ˇ Technology in rehabilitation and prison reform
đź’ˇ Human rights and ethical implications of digital tools
Highlights include contributions from:
• Senator Fiona O’Loughlin – Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence
• Professor Jens Erik Paulsen – Moral responsibility in digital policing
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Nuala Jackson – How can AI assist legal practice and how can it hinder?
• Chief Inspector Jacqui Durkin – Transforming the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland
• Chief Superintendent Derek Smart – Improving the digital evidence journey using body-worn cameras
Thematic sessions explored the applications, ethical dimensions, and AI-driven transformations shaping the justice system of tomorrow — from surveillance technologies to children’s rights and the implications of the EU AI Act.
đź”— Read the full Conference Report here
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The 11th Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference focussing on 'Youth Justice in Motion: Prevention, Intervention, Contribution'Â will take place on Friday, 10th October 2025 in Dublin.
Registration now open: ACJRD are delighted to announce two new events in the coming months.Â
The ACJRD Online Student Seminar: Meet the Pros: Criminal Justice Career Paths on 13 November 2025. Sign Up Here
The ACJRD December 2025 Seminar and Networking Event for ACJRD members on the theme High Volume but low-level Crime: A Dialogue on 11 December 2025. Sign Up Here
Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference, 10 October
'Five Books That Could Save Your Life' event, 16 October
The Role of the Ombudsman: Fairness in Public Services (The Wheel members-only webinar), 17 October
Parole Futures with Professor Nicola Carr (UCD Criminology Salon), 20 October
Dublin International Disputes Week, 20-24 October
Ethnic inequalities in the Criminal Justice System: Evidence from the Crown Court in England and Wales, 23 October (Online, UK)
International Corrections and Prisons Association Conference, 26-31 October (Istanbul, TĂĽrkiye)
9th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptoassets, 28-29 October (Vienna, Austria)
ACJRD Online Student Seminar: Meet the Pros: Criminal Justice Career Paths, 13 November (for 3rd level students)
Annual EU CharterXchange, 8-9 December (Online, Austria)
ACJRD December 2025 Seminar and Networking Event on the theme High Volume but low-level Crime: A Dialogue, 11 December (for ACJRD members)
Call for Applications: CORD Justice Fellowship 2025/26, 10 October
Funding: Foran Family Scholarship in Law and Criminology, 17 October
Queen's University Belfast curated pre-law reading list
Listen: BA Criminology (University College Cork 'Find Your Course' podcast)
Study: Ulster University School of Law Law Graduate Entry programme
Study:Â Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP)
Volunteer:Â Victim Support at CourtÂ
Vacancy: Garda Trainee, 9 October
Vacancy: State Solicitor (CSSO), 16 OctoberÂ
Vacancy:Â Seconded National Expert in the Drugs B Team (Europol), 5 NovemberÂ
Vacancy: Residential Social Care Worker (Oberstown), 31 December
IPS Commissioning Rapid Evidence Review
Call for Proposals: New Advances in Crime and Social Harm
The 18th Annual Martin Tansey Memorial Lecture paper
Call for Papers: ‪Criminology & Criminal Justice Journal‬
From streets to screens: fighting crime in the digital domainÂ
AI bias in law enforcement - a practical guideÂ
Understanding and mitigating bias to harness AI responsibly
Women’s Aid Impact Report launched
New report recommends specialist legal service for childrenÂ
2024 ACJRD Annual Conference Report available
ACJRD's Quarter 2 2025 Newsletter is now available - with information on the Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference, ACJRD's events calendar 2025 and other upcoming events; Latest news, vacancies, volunteering, internships and competitions; research and calls for abstracts; funding and invitations to tender; publications and podcasts, along with other news...
Membership of ACJRD for 2025 is due for renewal, so we are currently contacting our members.
Benefit from reduced prices and priority access to Conference, Seminars and Networking events...Â
ACJRD are delighted to welcome Orla O’Neill, ACJRD’s new Executive Director.
In a big change for ACJRD, Maura Butler retired as Chairperson at our Annual Conference on 12 June 2024, having taken up the role in 2007. Mary Griffin, CEO and Under Treasurer of the King’s Inns, has taken up the role from Maura.
Since our move to a new mailing list provider, Mailjet, took place on 1st January 2024 we have removed anyone from the ACJRD mailing list who has not opted-in.
Why do I have to opt-in again? ACJRDÂ have moved to a new mailing list provider, Mailjet, and to comply with GDPR all those who wish to remain on the mailing list need to opt-in again in order to receive future emails and notifications of events.Â
ACJRD's Christmas networking event and seminar, "Heading towards a federal criminal justice system? Past, present and future of EU Justice", took place in the Law Society of Ireland on Monday, 11 December, 2023.Â
The 9th Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference, Penal Policy Reform: Putting Community at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System, took place on Tuesday, 10th October 2023.
Dr John O’Connor, Judge of the Circuit Court, "Judicial Discretion and the Justice and Welfare Dichotomy: The Sentencing of Children in the Irish Youth Justice System" - Thursday, 20th April 2023, 6pm (registration 5.30pm)
The ACJRD 25th Annual Conference took place on Friday, 7th October 2022.
"Race, Migration and the Criminal Justice System"Â -Â Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022
A collaboration between ACJRD and the UCD Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Bruno Min, Legal Director (UK & International), Fair Trials, presented the 15th Annual Martin Tansey Memorial Lecture online.
The seminar, "Effecting Change: Learning from the experience of Oberstown" took place on Thursday, 3rd March, 2022.
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