Irish Council for Civil Liberties
Description
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is a membership organisation that defends and promotes civil liberties and human rights in Ireland. It was established on 30 June 1976 to promote human rights, protect civil liberties, recover them where removed, and enlarge them where diminished. ICCL is independent of government, funded by members and donors.
It describes itself as Ireland’s leading human rights organisation, based in Dublin. It works through advocacy, campaigning, research, policy submissions, and media commentary. It monitors human rights and civil liberties in Ireland, informs public opinion, and works to influence decision-making on policing and justice reform, digital and data rights, equality and inclusion, and activism, protest and civil society.
It runs a network of legal observers who monitor protests and policing, and coordinates the International Network of Civil Liberties Organisations. ICCL does not give legal advice and has no solicitor on staff, but tries to refer people with general queries to organisations that can help them.
Enforce is ICCL’s digital rights unit, working on GDPR enforcement, antitrust, disinformation, AI regulation, privacy-enhancing technology, and police use of facial recognition, including a current class action against Microsoft. Its staff and fellows advise legislators, including the European Parliament, and are regularly quoted in Irish and international media such as the Irish Times, the Washington Post, and the Guardian.
ICCL is governed by an executive board. It is a company limited by guarantee, and publishes annual reports and audited accounts.
Latest news
Serious questions raised by RTÉ Investigates require public inquiry
RTÉ Investigates documentary painted a very disturbing picture of whistleblowing practices within An Garda Síochána. ICCL believes the matters raised require a public inquiry.
18 Sep 2026
Why has Dublin City Council rejected an anti-Trump protest poster?
The poster in question featured an image of Mr Trump with a red line through it and the words “Not welcome”.
10 Sep 2026
ICCL is recruiting an Office and Operations Manager
The deadline to apply is 2pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
8 Sep 2026
Citizenship proposals will destroy a crucial route to integration
Human rights organisations express serious concerns about proposals that will significantly restrict access to Irish citizenship.
7 Sep 2026
The EU and the Hague Group must take action to protect the ICC against US attacks
11 national human rights organisations urge the international community to protect the International Criminal Court from attacks by the Trump Administration.
4 Sep 2026
ICCL calls on Ireland to lead the EU in protecting the International Criminal Court
ICCL calls on Minister Helen McEntee to lead EU Member States in coordinating a response to the US’s attacks on the international Criminal Court.
31 Aug 2026
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