Join Professor Niamh Howlin, Patrick Gageby SC, and Ms. Justice Caroline Biggs as they trace the evolution of jury trials, from packed juries and exclusionary laws to landmark cases that opened the courtroom to women and broadened public participation.
We’ll uncover how the jury system acts as a safeguard against State overreach, and how its transformation reflects Ireland’s changing values, from colonial legacies to constitutional rights.
This is the story of fairness, representation, and the power of ordinary citizens to deliver justice.
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35:28
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35:28
The David Norris Case
In this episode, we’re exploring the David Norris case—a pivotal legal battle that challenged the constitutionality of laws criminalising male homosexuality.
Join author Colm TóibÃn, former President Mary McAleese, and David Norris himself as they recount the struggle to overturn laws dating back to the British Empire. In this episode, we’ll unpack the personal and legal journey of David Norris, who fought against outdated and unjust legislation in the courts, and changed the hearts and minds of a nation.Â
This is the story of courage, visibility, and the fight for equality in a society where love, until then, was criminalised.
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35:13
The Julia Clarke Case; Jail for a Kiss
Today we delve into the intriguing and controversial Julia Clarke case - a story that challenges our perceptions of justice and morality in 1930s Ireland. Imagine a summer evening in Dundalk, where a young couple’s innocent kiss leads to an unexpected turn of events. Join Niamh Howlin (Associate Professor at the UCD Sutherland School of Law) and Mary McAuliffe (historian, lecturer, and Director of Gender Studies at University College Dublin) as we unpack the legal intricacies and social context surrounding this remarkable case, shedding light on a different era and its enduring impact on contemporary Ireland.
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24:30
Two seminal District Courts cases : The State (Healy) V Donoghue, DPP v Gary Doyle
Dive into the pivotal District Court cases of Healy v. Donoghue and DPP V Gary Doyle, which transformed the landscape of legal representation in Ireland. Featuring The Hon. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, retired Chief Justice and The Hon. Mr. Justice John MacMenamin, retired Judge of the Supreme Court, The Hon. Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly; Supreme Court Judge and James Dwyer SC, discover how these seemingly small cases established crucial rights for defendants and set the stage for modern justice practices.Â
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35:05
Eileen Kennedy, Ireland's first woman Judge
Join us as we delve into the life of Eileen Kennedy, whose groundbreaking appointment in 1964 marked a turning point in Ireland's legal history. Learn about her pivotal role in reforming the treatment of vulnerable children and her lasting impact on the judicial landscape through a rich and storied retelling with Dr Eoin O’Sullivan School of Social Work and Social Policy, Pól Ó’Murchú: Solicitor, Judge Patricia Cronin; District Court Judge and Maura O'Looney retired Probation Officer.
Welcome to the Irish Courts Podcast. In our first series with the accompaniment of notable guests, we will explore seminal cases and key moments throughout the history and evolution of the Irish courts system.
Ireland