With climate change taking over the political and cultural agendas, we discuss two cases in which the courts got involved in the debate. The first is the recent UK decision which found that the British Government had broken the law in its plans for Heathrow's third runway. The second case, relating to Dublin Airport's new runway, discovered a constitutional right to an environment. Alex, Pierce and Gavin mused the power of judges and whether it is appropriate for them to have input into politica...
May 20, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Charitable status in Irish law gives an organisation a number of benefits, primarily a tax exemption. It is extended to many organisations including museums, medical research bodies and campaigning groups. Should golf and sports clubs more generally receive charitable status? Pierce, Alex and Gavin discussed the Killarney Golf Club case. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams...
May 13, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
One sports commentator decides to pitch a stand peering over the wall into a racecourse, where he can commentate from and broadcast it on the radio. The racecourse isn't one bit happy - but are any of their legal rights being breached? Pierce, Alex and Gavin discuss. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams. Each course is delivered live online with a specific exam focus and su...
May 06, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We spoke to Senator, Barrister and Law Professor Ivana Bacik about the recent emergency legislation passed giving powers to the Minister for Health and the Gardai in light of the Covid 19 crisis. Senator Bacik explained the human rights implications to this legislation and how it "would not be countenanced" in normal times. We also caught up with our ear to the ground: Sargeant Des O'Hurley. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provid...
Apr 29, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
If you trespass onto somebody else's property, use it for a 12 year-uninterrupted period on your own, you are entitled to become the legal owner of that property. Why is this allowed? Is anyone entitled to do this? And does this conflict with the basic property rights which hold our society together? Pierce, Alex and Gavin discuss the law around adverse possession and the case of Dunne v Irish Rail . This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leadi...
Apr 22, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Do you own your voice? What if someone impersonates you - have they breached your rights? This is the subject of the case we covered in this episode. We chat about the time singer and actress Bette Midler sued Ford, who used an impersonator to sing one of her songs in their ads, leading people to believe that she was endorsing the car. Did she succeed? Find out in this episode. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition ...
Apr 15, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In 2003, Mary Kelly broke into Shannon Airport in the West of Ireland and damaged a plane belonging to the US military. She justified her actions on the basis that she was acting to "save the innocent lives of people in Iraq". Pierce, Alex and Gavin consider the nature of the crime which Ms Kelly was put on trial for, the defence which she attempted to use and how she, a non-lawyer, outsmarted everyone in the court - including the judge. We also discuss Irish neutrality. This episode is brought ...
Apr 08, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In the dullness of mid-1990s suburbia, Pepsi shot an advertisement for a new promotion. Customers could collect points by buying soft drinks to win branded merchandise, such as t-shirts and sunglasses. At the end of the ad, a Harrier fighter jet appears on screen with the subtitle - '7,000,000 Pepsi Points'. For Pepsi's sake, this was meant in jest. When 21 year-old student John Leonard sent in a letter with 7,000,000 points claiming he was entitled to the jet, what happened next? Pierce, Alex a...
Apr 01, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Portmarnock Golf Club still refuses to let women be full members. This is totally legal, according to the Supreme Court. But why so? And should the law be changed? Pierce, Alex & Gavin discuss... This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams. Each course is delivered live online with a specific exam focus and supported by the latest manuals. Shorter pre-recorded workshops are al...
Mar 25, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode we put ourselves into a judge's position and try to figure out whether the law in Ireland would permit compulsory vaccinations. We look at two significant Irish cases. We also debate the practical implications of compulsory vaccinations. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams. Each course is delivered live online with a specific exam focus and supported by the...
Mar 18, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Is it defamatory to describe somebody as a 'gay bachelor' if they are in fact heterosexual? In this episode we look at the case of Reynolds v Malocco. We also delve into society's changing attitudes towards homosexuality; the importance of freedom of speech and the tabloid expose culture which has led to poor journalism. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams. Each course is ...
Mar 11, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In March 2015, Ecstasy, Magic Mushrooms, Ketamine and a host of other drugs were legalised for 24 hours in Ireland. Why did this happen? Who made the decision? How did the country not erupt into chaos? In this episode, Alex, Pierce & Gavin delve into the case of Bederev v Ireland and explain the basics of Irish constitutional law. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition for the FE1 or King’s Inns Entrance exams. E...
Feb 25, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 2
"TWO YEAR OLD GIRL SUES HER GRANNY AFTER SPILLING TEA ON HERSELF!" In this episode we discuss the case of Moynihan v Moynihan, a case from the 1970s in Ireland. Why is the girl suing her granny? Is this an early example of the so-called compensation culture? Did she win her case? Alex, Pierce & Gavin explain the law behind the case and give their thoughts on the judgment. This episode is brought to you in association with LawSchool.ie. LawSchool.ie is Ireland’s leading provider of tuition fo...
Jan 31, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1
