University of Limerick welcomes the Supreme Court

The University of Limerick will benefit from meetings and events with judges of the Supreme Court as they sit in Limerick for the first time.

Members of the court — which sat in Limerick’s brand-new courthouse yesterday, only the second time sitting outside Dublin — will take part in activities hosted by the university during their three-day visit to the city.

Today, some of the judges will hold an exclusive seminar with PhD and postgraduate students where they will discuss some criminal and evidence cases, lecturer Dr Laura Cahillane told Irish Legal News.

On Wednesday 7 March at 9am, Mr Justice O’Donnell will give a legal history talk in the Analog Devices lecture theatre on the Howth Gun Running, which is open to anyone to attend. The judge will then officially open the refurbished School of Law building.

Later at 11.30am, he will be joined by colleagues on the court to hold a unique session with undergraduate law students, in which the judges will discuss their reasoning on various constitutional cases and will take questions and queries. Chatham House Rule will apply in order to allow members of the court to speak freely.

Dr Cahillane told Irish Legal News: “This event offers undergrads a unique and rare chance to discuss important legal issues with Ireland’s pre-eminent judicial figures — it is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the thinking of Supreme Court Judges as well as a deeper understanding of their role.”

She added: “It is very generous for members of the Court to take time out of their busy schedule to engage with our students and the School of Law is very grateful for their kindness.”