Prisoners make legal history with law qualification

A GROUP of prisoners made Irish legal history yesterday when they became the first graduates of a new course on the very reason they’re behind bars - the law.

Twelve men serving sentences in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin completed the course to earn their certificates which were presented by Mr Justice Paul Carney in a ceremony at the prison last night.

The course, Introduction to the Irish Legal System, comprised lectures, assignments and a follow-up exam covering issues such as the Constitution, the role of law in society, the function of solicitors and barristers and citizens’ rights.