ICC President concludes official visit to Ireland

On 4 and 5 October 2026, the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Tomoko Akane, visited Ireland to attend the ceremony to mark the opening of the legal year 2026.

President Akane highlighted the contribution of Ireland to the establishment and work of the ICC as well as the efforts taken by Irish legal practitioners in furtherance of the rule of law. Reflecting on the Court's jurisprudence on complementarity, the President emphasised that resilient national judicial systems are the backbone of international justice, with the ICC serving only as a last resort.

Situating the current attacks and coercive measures against the ICC in the context of broader assaults against the rule of law, the President stated that is of vital importance that courts, whether that is the ICC or any other court, remain independent and free from political pressure or any kind of coercion. The President nevertheless stressed the importance of continuing to work, with determination and hope. Referring to the words of Seamus Heaney, she stated: "'hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for'. We are aware of what led to the establishment of the ICC: the suffering of countless innocent victims. Guided by our conviction that the promise to 'never again' repeat such unimaginable atrocities is a noble goal worth working for, the ICC will continue carrying out its judicial duties, undeterred and with full independence and impartiality".

The Hon. Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell, Chief Justice of Ireland also reflected on the current circumstances surrounding the ICC, including US sanctions, and stated: "This brings into focus the importance of seeking to protect courts, judges and court systems against attack. That should not just be the concern of other judges, lawyers or NGOs operating in the justice sector - it should be the concern of anyone who wants to live in a free society that respects the individual and protects their rights. And while the position in relation to the ICC is only the most recent and prominent example, it is only part of a wave of what is being properly and rightly called "rule of law backsliding", but which involves a fundamental challenge to the post-Second World War model".

During her visit, on 5 October 2026, President Akane also met H.E. Ms Helen McEntee TD, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

The President and Minister McEntee discussed the sanctions and other coercive measures against the Court and its personnel, the progress in judicial activities and other matters of mutual concern.

Following the meeting, President Akane said, "It was truly an honour to speak with Minister McEntee today. Ireland has always been one of the strongest supporters of the Court, and, at a time when the Court faces attempts to interfere with its independence, it is the unwavering support of Ireland and other States Parties that allows the Court to continue carrying out its mandate undeterred. The Court is particularly grateful for Ireland's leadership as the holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and we look forward to continuing to work together for our common cause."

For further information, please contact the ICC Public Affairs Unit: [email protected] . You can also follow the Court's activities on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr.