In this episode, we’re exploring the David Norris case—a pivotal legal battle that challenged the constitutionality of laws criminalising male homosexuality.

Join author Colm Tóibín, former President Mary McAleese, and David Norris himself as they recount the struggle to overturn laws dating back to the British Empire. In this episode, we’ll unpack the personal and legal journey of David Norris, who fought against outdated and unjust legislation in the courts, and changed the hearts and minds of a nation.

This is the story of courage, visibility, and the fight for equality in a society where love, until then, was criminalised.

Today we delve into the intriguing and controversial Julia Clarke case - a story that challenges our perceptions of justice and morality in 1930s Ireland. Imagine a summer evening in Dundalk, where a young couple’s innocent kiss leads to an unexpected turn of events. Join Niamh Howlin (Associate Professor at the UCD Sutherland School of Law) and Mary McAuliffe (historian, lecturer, and Director of Gender Studies at University College Dublin) as we unpack the legal intricacies and social context surrounding this remarkable case, shedding light on a different era and its enduring impact on contemporary Ireland.

Dive into the pivotal District Court cases of Healy v. Donoghue and DPP V Gary Doyle, which transformed the landscape of legal representation in Ireland. Featuring The Hon. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, retired Chief Justice and The Hon. Mr. Justice John MacMenamin, retired Judge of the Supreme Court, The Hon. Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly; Supreme Court Judge and James Dwyer SC, discover how these seemingly small cases established crucial rights for defendants and set the stage for modern justice practices.