'Order in court' as Kells students go on trial

Students from Eureka Secondary School and Kells Community School got a taste of the courts system last week when they participated in a mock trial at Kells Courthouse. Transition year students from Eureka and fifth years from the St Ciaran's Community School played key roles in the 'trial', which took place before acting judge, solicitor Miriam Regan of Regan McEntee in Trim. Over the past three months, solicitor Anne Dolan from Niall Dolan Solicitors, Cavan, had been preparing the girls from Eureka to defend their 'client' before the court and Gardai from Kells had worked with the students from the community school to prosecute the case. The mock case was based around a fictional assault case that took place during a football match. The students played all the key roles, including registrar, barristers, solicitors, witnesses, gardai, reporters, photographers and even an artist. Kathleen Mellot, acting as court clerk, got the proceedings underway when she arraigned the 'accused', Michelle Mullen. When a plea of 'not guilty' was entered, 'barrister' Terence Daly put forward his opening speech, which was followed by Clodagh Kenny for the defence. The 'prosecution witnesses' David Murphy and Sam Obembe were expertly led through their evidence by 'barristers' Adam Bishop and Terence Daly before they were 'hauled over the coals' by the 'defence' team of Clodagh Kenny and Jennifer Newman. After the prosecution had finished presenting their case, it was time for the defence to call Michelle Mullen and Laura Smith to give evidence and they faced some difficult questions during cross-examination by the opposing team. The prosecution's legal team was ably assisted by their solicitor, John Carpenter and the defence solicitor was Sinead Walsh. Having heard the evidence, the jury, which consisted of six students from each school, retired to decide the fate of the accused and jury forewoman, Dervla O'Reilly delivered a 'not guilty' verdict. In praising the efforts of both schools, 'Judge' Miriam Regan said the standard of presentation from both legal teams and the evidence given by the witnesses was of the highest standard. "It was very difficult to decide the winner but I think in this case the girls from Eureka are worthy winners," she said. The perpetual trophy for the winners, which was sponsored by the Meath Solicitors' Bar Association, was presented by solicitor Katie Barber from Keaveney Walsh, Solicitors, who congratulated both schools for their hard work and for a very professional and entertaining case.