Ursulaonwinning teamatthecourts
BRAY WOMAN HAS WON GAEL LINN’S BRÉAGCHÚIRT UÍ DHÁLAIGH EVENT
THE FAMILIAR expression ‘ There’s no such thing as a free lunch’ was turned on its head in Bray Institute last Wednesday as Culinary Arts students in Bray Institute served up an impressive Buffet lunch to college staff. First Year Professional Cookery students displayed their cookery skills by preparing and presenting their finest fare to staff in the college who responded with gusto. LAW student Ursula Quill from Bray was on the winning King’s Inns team at the final of Bréagchúirt Uí Dhálaigh 2017, a court competition held in the Four Courts last Friday.
Celebrating 20 years since inception, the competition is organised annually by Gael Linn, and funded by Foras na Gaeilge, in memory of the late Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, former President and Chief Justice of Ireland.
First held in 1997, the competition was won by Íde Ní Riagáin, now a solicitor in the European Parliament in Luxembourg, along with barrister Daithí Mac Cárthaigh, who has continued his association with the event down through the years.
Teams from Trinity College, Dublin, University College Cork, NUI Galway, Maynooth University and Kings Inns took part in this year’s competition and had the opportunity to display their advocacy skills in an authentic
The cooks were given the opportunity to test their skills in BIFE’s recently installed state of the art kitchen while a platter to flatter was presented to its captive audience in the newly furbished dining area of the Institute.
Among the 20 delicious treats on offer were roast turkey with pesto and avocado,cream of mushroom soup and smoked salmon with lettuce and baby prawns. There were many courtroom setting before practicing judges of the High Court and Circuit Court.
Competitors either defend or prosecute in an appeal against a court judgement. The case under scrutiny in this instance was complicated - a death occurs, but was it murder or suicide? The appeal involved a number of elements, such as actus reus, continuing act and chain of causation.
Preliminary rounds took place in Kings Inns on Friday morning, where all teams had to prepare and plead both sides of the case. Oral submissions for the appellant and the respondent were restricted to 20 minutes, with three minutes allowed for rebuttal by both sides. The participating teams were assessed by qualified barristers and the two of the highest standard were chosen to contest the final – Kings Inn and Trinity College, Dublin.
The final was held that evening in the Four Courts, with many former competitors in attendance. High Court judge Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, along with Circuit Court judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin presided, with assistance from Cormac favourable comments regarding the high standard and the next offering is eagerly anticipated.
This was the group’s second buffet since the start of their course in September. With a further four buffets still to come this group will be kept busy. Students also have to compile an events diary and critically analyse their contribution as part of their course work. Ó Dúlacháin, Senior Counsel. Both teams impressed with their 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. In the end, however, the judges’ gavel came down in favour of the team from King’s Inns.
Gael Linn CEO Antoine Ó Coileáin, presented Bray lady Ms Quill and her team-mates, Tomás Mac Thréinfhir and Daithí Ó hEoghanáin, with the Gael Linn Perpetual Trophy and a cheque for €600.