Comhrá with Abbey Community College

Mr Justice Collins and Ms Justice Donnelly

On 12 November, the Supreme Court held a 'Comhrá' with students of Abbey Community College in Co. Waterford.

Comhrá (the word for ‘conversation’ in Irish) is an education initiative of the Supreme Court that enables secondary school students to participate in live question-and-answer sessions with judges of the Supreme Court from anywhere in Ireland by video call.

The programme provides students with an opportunity to ask judges questions about their work, the role of the Supreme Court and of the courts system more generally within our democracy, allowing them to gain an insight and understanding of the function of the Supreme Court and promote an interest in law.

This latest call took place between Mr Justice Maurice Collins, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, and a group of students from a mix of year groups who were interested in pursuing legal studies after leaving secondary school.  Students asked a list of thoughtful and interesting questions, including whether or not the Judges always wanted to become Judges, how Judges learn to make decisions without any bias, and what happens when Judges disagree with each other.