Donegal students contest their case

A group of Co Donegal students got first-hand experience of the law when they took their case all the way to the Supreme Court, and won, last Wednesday. Pobalscoil Cloich Cheannfhaola, Falcarragh, Co Donegal, battled it out in true legal style with students from Mount Anville, Dublin, to win this year's National Mock Trial Competition.

Transition Year students from 32 schools participated in the competition, with each school having 15 students acting as solicitors, barristers, jurors, witnesses and court reporters.

The teams were coached by solicitors or barristers from A&L Goodbody Solicitors and from Public Access to Law (PAL).

Leading members of the Irish Judiciary and members of the Bar of Ireland judged each trial and marked the schools under established mock trial rules.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Ronan Keane, Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, also of the Supreme Court, and Mr Justice Peter Kelly of the High Court adjudicated the final.

Justice Ronan Keane congratulated all the participants, and particularly the finalists, for their excellent performances.

"The students demonstrated a wonderful understanding of the legal process," he said. "I hope that they will all continue to take an interest in the law in years to come."

Aisling Walsh from Carrigaline Community School, Co Cork and Eimear Delaney from Mount Anville, Dublin, won the best legal reporters section of the competition.