“These podcasts capture the human-interest side of law and bring to life some of the stories, big and small, which have taken place against the backdrop of our courts system” said Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell.
Involving major legal, judicial, and political figures, the podcasts look at cases where somebody was prosecuted for a public kiss; where private relationships and their legal status were examined; looks at the first woman judge in Ireland; and how small cases have resulted in big changes in the law about representation.
The full set of five podcasts now available free to download at all popular podcast sites.
It is hoped that the podcast will have broad appeal not only to those in the legal community but also to members of the public.
“These podcasts capture the human-interest side of law and bring to life some of the stories, big and small, which have taken place against the backdrop of our courts system” said Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell.
Featuring major figures and cases from the past 100 years, the podcasts celebrate the centenary of when the Courts of Justice Act was passed in 1924.
Highlights from the series see the podcast delve into the life of Ireland’s first judge Eileen Kennedy, whose ground-breaking appointment in 1964 marked a turning point in Ireland’s legal history.
The series also examines the intriguing and controversial Julia Clark case – a story that challenges our perceptions of justice and morality in 1930s Ireland -where a young couple’s innocent kiss leads to an unexpected turn of events.
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) unpack the legal intricacies and social context surrounding this remarkable case, shedding light on a different era and its enduring impact on contemporary Ireland.
Another case to feature is the David Norris case—a pivotal legal battle that challenged the constitutionality of laws criminalising male homosexuality.
Join author Colm Tóibín, former President Mary McAleese, and David Norris himself as they recount the struggle to overturn laws dating back to the British Empire
The podcasts are now available in full on all major platforms, so people can listen wherever they prefer, and more information will be on https://courts.ie/podcasts
“The coming into force 100 years ago of the Courts of Justice Act 1924 marked a really significant milestone in the life of the new State and was, by all accounts, a remarkable achievement worthy of celebration,” said Chief Justice O’Donnell.
“The aim, when we set out to brainstorm the topics for these podcasts, was to curate a series which would capture the human-interest side of law and bring to life some of the stories, big and small, which have taken place against the backdrop of our courts system, and in their own ways have impacted Irish society.”
