Irish pupils win international debating event

Pupils from schools across Ireland have shown themselves to be top of the class by winning an international debating competition.

The secondary school youngsters clinched the title from reigning champions Australia at the finals in Singapore last night.

They impressed the judges after proposing the motion: ‘‘The Media has become too powerful’’.

It was the first time Ireland has won the title, no mean feat considering they battled it out against 220 top youth debaters from 28 countries on six continents.

The team, which won four of the seven judges votes, was led by Noel McGrath from the Catholic University School in Dublin.

The other members were Ross Kelly from McCartan’s College, Monaghan; Barry Glynn from Gonzaga College, Dublin; Cian Murphy from Catholic Boys’ College in Cork; and Stephen Coutts, also from CBC Cork.

Team coach, Dick Wafer from Castleknock College, said the victory was especially impressive as they had beaten the champions.

Ireland beat Britain in the semi-finals and Pakistan in an earlier round, debating missile defence.

The finals were attended by the Irish Ambassador to Singapore, Brendan Lyons, and Ms Alma Ni Choigligh of the Irish Embassy in Singapore.