Supreme Court Visit to NUI Galway In March, legal history was made when the Supreme Court sat on campus. It was the first time the court had sat outside a courthouse since its return to the Four Courts in 1932, the first time it sat in Galway and only the third time it had sat outside Dublin. The Quadrangle buzzed with interest, as the nine judges heard two high profile cases – Fitzpatrick & anor v An Bord Pleanála & ors, an appeal against the decision of An Bord Pleanála to approve an Apple data centre in Athenry, and 167/17 Promontoria (Oyster) Designated Activity Company v Hannon concerning equitable mortgages. The Supreme Court also issued its judgment in the O’Brien v Clerk of Dáil Éireann & ors appeal. The School of Law organised a number of events to engage students and the public for the historic visit. Chief Justice Frank Clarke delivered a speech
to the legal community on ‘The Common Law Post-Brexit’ at an event hosted jointly with the Galway Solicitors’ Bar Association. To coincide with International Women’s Day, a public lecture on ‘Women on Supreme Courts’ took place with many high-profile speakers including Údarás na hOllscoile Chair and former Supreme Court Judge, Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, and NUI Galway graduate and Chief Justice of the Seychelles, Mrs Justice Matilda Twomey. The School of Law delivered a series of student seminars in conjunction with members of the Supreme Court where students had a unique opportunity to interact with the judiciary and academic law staff. Pictured above are the Supreme Court judges with the School of Law staff in the Aula Maxima, where the temporary court was located.
Photographs by Neil Warner and Law School staff.
The Hon Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, Chief Justice being welcomed to NUI Galway by the Registrar and Deputy President of NUI Galway, Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh
At the official launch of the Inaugural Annual Report of the Supreme Court were (L to R) Mr. Justice George Birmingham, President of the Court of Appeal, Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne, Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, Chief Justice, Prof Pól Ó Dochartaigh and Mr. Justice John Mac Menamin.
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The historic first sitting of the Supreme Court in Galway
(L to R) Mr. Justice Peter Charleton, Ms. Justice Iseult O’Malley, Mr. Justice Donal O’Donnell, Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne, Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, Chief Justice, Ms. Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan, Prof Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Mr. Justice Peter Kelly, President of the High Court, Mr. Justice John Mac Menamin and Mr. Justice George Birmingham, President of the Court of Appeal.