Law – Criminal Law

This programme offers the student an introduction to Irish Criminal Law. The student will be introduced to the main concepts of criminal liability, the principal offences and principal defences in the criminal calendar. The student will also gain an excellent insight to and understanding of the various defences available under Irish law.

This programme is an ECTS 15 credit module of the Law Degree.

On completion of this programme, students should be able to:
Identify the purpose of the criminal law and explain how and why criminal wrongs can be distinguished from non-criminal wrongs;

Describe the difference between the actus reus and mens rea of a crime and discuss the various constituent elements of both;

Recognise the main offences in Irish criminal law and demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the key elements of each;

Identify the various defences which may be available to a defendant in a criminal case and demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the key elements of each;

Discuss the liability of participants to a crime;

Analyse the law and employ knowledge and understanding in solving relevant problems;

Research aspects of criminal law either independently or part of group and communicate findings and proposals in written and/or verbal form.