As part of Community policing initiative ‘Let’s Look at the Law’, Gardaí in Baileboro are hosting a mock trial.
'Let’s Look At the Law’
As part of Community policing initiative ‘Let’s Look at the Law’, Gardaí in Baileboro are hosting a mock trial that will be role played by transition year students from four schools in the county (Bailieboro Community School, Virginia College, St. Clares, Ballyjamesduff, and St. Aidans, Cootehill) in the Cavan District Court commencing at 11.00am on the 27th of February.
Each school will present the same case that has been devised by Garda Peter O’Sullivan under the direction of Superintendent Noel Cunningham (both stationed at Bailieboro), and each student in the year will have a role to play. Students from each class will perform as prosecution lawyers, defence lawyers, state and defence witnesses. A student from each class will also act as a journalist and other students will perform the role of District Court staff. The ‘trial’ will be presided over by Judge Seán MacBride, who will adjudicator of the best role play, and a presentation will be made by the winning school at the Kilmore Hotel on Wednesday the 4th of March.
The trophy to be presented has been sponsored by the County Cavan Solicitors Association. The Anglo-Celt newspaper has also sponsored an award for the winning journalist.
The initiative is an extension of the Garda Schools programme which is run throughout all Garda districts nationwide. Superintendent Cunningham and Garda O’Sullivan would like to acknowledge the assistance of Judge Seán MacBride, Mr. Noel Brennan (Chief Court Clerk), The County Cavan Solicitors Association (in particular their president Mr. Martin Cosgrove). A special acknowledgement should be made to the transition year co-ordinators in each school, and the hard work done by all the students involved.
Superintendent Cunningham outlined. "This is a practical demonstration of the how An Garda Siochana continues to work with the community and the transition year students in particular. Community Gardai in Balieboro are delighted with the response from the students and wish to acknowledge the great co–operation and assistance of the courts services and Judge Seán MacBride in particular."
The District Officer is available for interviews with regard to the above initiative at 042 9694577.
Garda Press Office
17.45hrs 23.2.09
