The Irish Courts Podcast

Sport is often associated with competition, community and fair play. However, behind every game, from local club matches to international events, is a framework of rules and laws that help shape how sport is played and governed.

In this episode, we explore the relationship between sport and the law, from early Irish legal traditions to modern sporting disputes and international arbitration.

Join Professor Paul Rouse of University College Dublin, County Registrar Aoife Farrelly and Senior Counsel Louise Reilly as they examine how law has influenced sport throughout history and why fair procedures remain at the heart of modern competition.

From disputes on parish pitches and GAA disciplinary hearings to match-fixing investigations and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, this episode explores how the law helps protect the integrity of sport at every level.

Episode lead: The Hon. Mr. Justice Conor Dignam, Judge of the High Court, member of the Irish Courts Podcast editorial team

Miscarriages of justice raise difficult questions about power, accountability, and what happens when the wrong person is convicted.

In this episode, we examine one of Ireland's most significant miscarriage of justice cases: the case of Martin Conmey, who spent decades trying to clear his name after a wrongful conviction linked to the murder of Una Lynskey.

Join Professor Clare Hamilton of Maynooth University, journalist Mick Clifford, and Senior Counsel Remy Farrell as they explore the investigation, the failures that led to a miscarriage of justice, and the profound personal cost for those involved.

From witness coercion and undisclosed evidence to the introduction of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993, this episode examines how wrongful convictions occur, the safeguards designed to address them, and why vigilance remains essential to protecting justice.

Episode lead: The Hon. Mr. Justice Sean Gillane, Judge of the High Court, member of the Irish Courts Podcast editorial team

Every day, headlines and social media feeds carry stories from our courts. However, court reporting is more than news, it’s a constitutional imperative and a cornerstone of transparency in Irish justice.

In this episode, we explore why reporting the law matters, how it has evolved, and why it remains vital for democracy.

Join Professor Rachael Walsh - School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, Mary Carolan - Legal Affairs Correspondent, The Irish Times, Dave O’Connell - Editor, Connacht Tribune, and Dr. Carol Coulter - Director of the Child Law Project as they unpack the constitutional foundations, ethical challenges, and the realities of reporting in a digital age.

From contempt rulings and in camera restrictions to the rise of social media and the enduring appetite for true crime, this is the story of how court reporting shapes public trust in justice.

Join Ms. Justice Eileen Roberts of the High Court, Dr Brian Barry, Associate Professor, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin and Karlin Lillington, Irish Times Technology Journalist as they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal landscape; from courtroom transcription and legal research to sentencing algorithms and deep fakes.

This episode examines the promise and peril of AI in Irish courts, asking whether technology can truly support justice without compromising fairness, dignity, or judicial independence.

We unpack the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI in the courtroom. This is the story of innovation, caution, and the enduring need for human judgment.

In this episode of The Irish Courts Podcast, we explore Habeas Corpus, a legal remedy that protects the right to liberty in Ireland.

Hear from Dr. Bláthna Ruane SC, Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, and Associate Professor Dr. Kevin Costello as they trace the development of Habeas Corpus through Irish legal history. From its early use in the 17th century to its role in the Constitution today, this episode looks at how the remedy continues to serve citizens and uphold the rule of law.