Three judges have overseen a new podcast that celebrates the centenary of the Irish courts.
The podcast series has been released by the Courts Service to mark 100 years since the establishment of the Irish courts system in 1924.
The five episodes feature major figures and cases from the past century.
They feature Ireland’s first woman judge, Eileen Kennedy; an examination of how small cases can make a big difference; the story of a prosecution for a public kiss; the landmark challenge to the constitutionality of laws criminalising male homosexuality; and a look at the significance of the legislation enabling Ireland to have its own independent judicial system.
The project has been overseen by Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Cian Ferriter of the High Court, and Judge Gráinne Malone of the District Court.
The Courts Service says the project also had support from an independent producer, as well as Courts Service staff and cost around €9,500 in total. The podcasts are free to download.
Chief Justice Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell said the coming into force of the Courts of Justice act of 1924, marked a “really significant milestone” in the life of the new State and was “a remarkable achievement worthy of celebration.”
He said the aim of the series was to capture the human-interest side of law and to bring to life some of the stories that took place against the backdrop of the courts system and impacted Irish society in their own ways.
