We chat - over Zoom - with Sara Phelan SC & Hannah Carney on the Bar of Ireland's Law & Women Mentoring Programme - the need for it today, the role of male mentors, how the Programme works and its hope to be 'redundant' in the future.

On 26th of November 2020, The Bar of Ireland held its annual human rights award ceremony. This award is made in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of human rights. This year, the council focused on health as a fundamental human right.

The 2020 award was presented to Dr. Micheal Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme. Doctor Ryan was chosen in recognition of his role in leading the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

His remarkable leadership in the global health response safeguards the right to health by seeking to ensure equality of access to the critical resources necessary to combat Covid-19.

In advance of the awards ceremony, The Bar of Ireland held a press briefing, chaired by Sinead McGovern, where Dr. Ryan responded to questions from journalists.

On 9th September 2020, Maura McNally SC, Chair of The Bar of Ireland, and Joseph O’Sullivan BL, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, appeared before the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response to contribute to discussion and provide perspectives on the legal and constitutional issues arising during this fast moving period of legislative response to control the spread of the virus.

In this conversation with Education and Training Co-ordinator Lindsay Bond, Kevin Byrne BL speaks about the lifestyle changes he has made while practising as a barrister. While talking about the benefits and positive health outcomes of these changes, Kevin offers advice on how fellow members can do the same.

In December 2019, The Bar of Ireland prepared a submission to the Department of Justice and Equality on the Review of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989. To discuss this topic, Policy and Public Affairs Manager Aedamair Gallagher speaks with one of the submission's authors, David Perry BL.

In the final instalment of the Green Street Lectures, Mr. Justice Donal O'Donnell speaks on the Pigott Forgeries and Russell's cross examination.

Shane Murphy SC looks back on the infamous trial of Harry Gleeson, who was wrongfully executed in 1941 for the murder of Mary McCarthy, and posthumously pardoned in 2015. Introduction by Mr. Justice David Barniville, then Chairman of the Bar Council.

Michael McDowell SC delivers a lecture examining the trial of Roger Casement for high treason in 1916.

Michael L. O'Higgins SC delivers a lecture reflecting on one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice in Irish history - the Maamtrasna Murders.

Hugh Mohan SC delivers a lecture on the Sedition and Treason trials of members of the Young Ireland movement in the nineteenth century, examining their outcomes and impact on the Irish political landscape. Introduction by Judge David Barniville, then Chairman of the Bar of Ireland.