A Law Society team scooped the honours for the first time ever in this year’s Irish language moot court, Bréagchúirt Uí Dhálaigh.
The competition, in the Four Courts on 9 November, was won by the Law Society team of Áine Haberlin and Feidhlim Mac Róibín.
Law School course manager in criminal practice Maura Butler said that she was thrilled with the team's amazing performance and warmly congratulated them.
This long-standing event is organised annually by Gael Linn in memory of the late Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, former President and Chief Justice of Ireland, and gives third-level law students an opportunity to display their advocacy skills in an authentic courtroom setting. Participants either defend or prosecute in an appeal against a court judgment.
Competing this year in Bréagchúirt Uí Dhálaigh were teams from University College, Dublin (UCD), Dublin City University and the Law Society of Ireland.
Preliminary rounds
All teams had to compete in preliminary rounds at King’s Inns last Friday, preparing and pleading on both sides of the case involving breach of contract and non-payment of a loan.
Oral submissions, for the appellant and the respondent, were restricted to 20 minutes, with three minutes allowed for rebuttal by both sides. Teams from UCD and the Law Society progressed to the final.
The final, at the Four Courts, was presided over by barristers Majella Ní Thuama, Séamus Ó Tuathail SC and Luan Ó Braonáin SC.
Logical and well-constructed presentation, correct use of statutes, cases and precedents, ability to answer judges’ questions, and ability to deal with the opposing arguments were scrutinised by the judges.
Skills praised
All competitors were praised for their skills of persuasion, and the delighted Law Society victors, Áine Haberlin and Feidhlim Mac Róibín, received a cheque for €600, along with the Gael Linn perpetual trophy.
The runners-up Caoimhín Ó Ceallaigh and Tommy Mac Diarmada received a cheque for €300.
Barristers thanked
Gael Linn thanked barristers Cormac Ó Dúlacháin, Daithí Mac Cárthaigh, Kate Ní Chonfhaola and solicitor Pól Ó Murchú, as well as the King’s Inns and Courts Services for their support.
Gael Linn chief executive Antoine Ó Coileáin commented that asa result of the official status of Irish, both at home and in the EU, career opportunities for lawyers with high competence in Irish have never been better.