Andrew Carey
andrew@limerickpost.ie
THEY may have been warned against ending up in the dock by their parents but transition year students in Limerick are now being encouraged into the courtroom by none other than Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan.
Launching the Bar Council of Ireland’s Transition Year programme, Minister O’Sullivan invited Limerick students to apply to attend mock trials to see if they would like a career in law.
20 of the 100 places available on the programme which gets under way next February are reserved for students from DEIS schools with applicants obliged to submit a students reflect on their legal aspirations in an 800 word essay.
Activities during the week-long programme will include mock trials, court visits, talks from the Chief Justice and court Gardaí, and shadowing a working barrister.
Minister O’Sullivan said: “Transition Year is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their interests and to find what career path is right for them. They say that if you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life and that is an ideal that all students should aspire to.
“The Bar of Ireland’s Transition Year programme offers students a valuable insight into the inner workings of the legal profession. In particular, I welcome the move by The Bar of Ireland to reserve a fifth of the places for students from DEIS schools.
“It’s important that all students know and believe that every career option is open to them. Every vocation, not least the legal profession, benefits from diversity”, the Minister added.
Schools in Limerick are asked to submit details of the winners of their individual essay competitions to The Bar Council of Ireland before Wednesday December 16. Further details at www.lawlibrary.ie
