Biography
Susan Leahy, BCL, LLM, PhD (UCC), is a senior lecturer in law at UL. Susan's primary research interests lie in the areas of criminal justice (with particular emphasis on sexual violence and victims of crime) and family law (specifically domestic abuse and marriage). Her PhD research was funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her thesis was entitled The Rules and Realities of Consent in Irish Sexual Offences Law: Perspectives on Reform and examined the rules relating to consent in Irish sexual offences legislation. She has published her research on sexual offences, victims' rights and family law in both national and international journals including the Common Law World Review, the International Journal of Evidence and Proof, the Journal of Criminal Law, and the Child and Family Law Quarterly. She has co-authored two books: Sexual Offending in Ireland: Laws, Procedures and Punishment, (Clarus, 2018) (with Dr Margaret Fitzgerald-O'Reilly) and The Victim in the Irish Criminal Process (Manchester University Press, 2018) (with Prof Shane Kilcommins, Dr Kathleen Moore-Walsh and Dr Eimear Spain). She has completed a number of funded research projects on sexual offences, gender-based violence and victims of crime.
Susan lectures in Criminology, Family Law and Media Law. She completed a specialist diploma in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship at UL in 2014. She is the director of the BA (Criminal Justice) and co-director of the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies (CCJVS).
Teaching Interests
Susan teaches Media Law (LA4013 and LA5021), Family Law (LA4038), Family Law Online (LA4081) and Criminology (LA6052). She completed a specialist diploma in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship in 2014. Susan has a keen interest in legal pedagogy and has organised workshops on legal pedagogy involving national and international experts on law teaching in UL (2014 and 2016). Susan has co-authored (with Professor Shane Kilcommins and Dr Eimear Spain) a chapter on criminal law pedagogy which was published in Gledhill & Livings (eds), The Teaching of Criminal Law: The pedagogical perspectives (Routledge, 2017).
Susan has supervised a number of Advanced Lawyering projects for 4th year Law Plus students. These projects have focused on family law issues (e.g. the Child and Family Relationships Act 2015 and domestic abuse legislation) and victims' rights (e.g. rights of victims of sexual offences and of families of victims of homicide). Partners on these projects have included ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services, OneinFour, Advic, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
Publications
Books
The Victim in the Irish Criminal Process
Shane Kilcommins, Susan Leahy, Kathleen Moore Walsh, Eimear Spain
(2018)
The Victim in the Irish Criminal Process
Manchester :
Manchester University Press
Sexual Offending in Ireland: Laws, Procedures and Punishment
Susan Leahy and Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly
(2018)
Sexual Offending in Ireland: Laws, Procedures and Punishment
Dublin :
Clarus Press
Sports Law in Ireland
Donnellan L, (with Leahy S)
(2017)
Sports Law in Ireland
Prof. Dr. Michele Colucci(Ed.)
Netherlands :
(2nd edn, Kluwer 2017)
Sports Law in Ireland
Donnellan L, and Leahy S,
(2014)
Sports Law in Ireland
Frank Hendrickx (Volume Editor), Roger Blanpain (General Editor), Michele Colucci (Associate General Editor)(Ed.)
Netherlands :
(Kluwer 2014)
Book Chapters
'Regulation of media and social media comment on rape trials: Achieving best practice'
Leahy, S.
(2021)
'Regulation of media and social media comment on rape trials: Achieving best practice'
In 'Sexual Violence on Trial: Local and Comparative Perspectives';
Killean, Dowds and McAlinden(Ed.)
Oxon :
Routledge
pp. 149-161
DOI: N/A
Recognition of Muslim Marriages Ceremonies in Ireland: An Analysis'
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K
(2019)
Recognition of Muslim Marriages Ceremonies in Ireland: An Analysis'
In Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context;
O'Sullivan, K(Ed.)
Leiden: Netherlands :
Brill
pp. 108-130
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004398252_007
[ULIR]
Sexual Offences Law: the Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Adjudications of Consent in Rape Trials in Ireland'
Leahy, S
(2018)
Sexual Offences Law: the Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Adjudications of Consent in Rape Trials in Ireland'
In Law and Gender in Modern Ireland: Critique and Reform;
Oxford :
Hart
Section 5 Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (Ireland)'
Leahy, S
(2018)
Section 5 Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (Ireland)'
In 'Women's Legal Landmarks: Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Law in the UK and Ireland';
Oxford :
Hart
The Development of Victims Rights in Ireland
Shane Kilcommins, Susan Leahy, and Eimear Spain
(2016)
The Development of Victims Rights in Ireland
In Criminal Litigation;
OUP :
Oxford University Press
[ULIR]
The absence of regulatory crime from the criminal law curriculum
Kilcommins S.;Leahy S.;Spain E.
(2016)
The absence of regulatory crime from the criminal law curriculum
In The Teaching of Criminal Law: The pedagogical imperatives;
pp. 194-205
DOI: 10.4324/9781315731902
The Absence of Regulatory Crime from the Criminal Law Curriculum'
Kilcommins, S, Leahy, S and Spain, E
(2016)
The Absence of Regulatory Crime from the Criminal Law Curriculum'
In The Teaching of Criminal Law: The Pedagogical Imperatives;
London :
Routledge
pp. 194-205
[ULIR]
Peer Reviewed Journals
Female Sex Offenders in Ireland: Examining the Response of the Criminal Justice System
Leahy S.
(2020)
Female Sex Offenders in Ireland: Examining the Response of the Criminal Justice System
In Journal Of Contemporary Criminal Justice;
DOI: 10.1177/1043986220936116
Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications
Leahy S.;O’Sullivan K.
(2019)
Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications
In Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs;
DOI: 10.1080/13602004.2019.1684032
Criminal Offences Relating to Marriage Formation: Reflections on Recent Developments
Leahy, S
(2019)
Criminal Offences Relating to Marriage Formation: Reflections on Recent Developments
In Irish Journal Of Family Law;
pp. 87-93
Changing Conceptions of Marriage in Ireland: Law and Practice'
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K
(2018)
Changing Conceptions of Marriage in Ireland: Law and Practice'
In Child and Family Law Quarterly;
pp. 279-300
[ULIR]
Exploring the impact of the Victims' Directive on service provision for victims of crime in Ireland'
Leahy, S and Spain, E
(2017)
Exploring the impact of the Victims' Directive on service provision for victims of crime in Ireland'
In Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly;
[ULIR]
'Responding Effectively to Domestic Burglary: A Critique of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015'
Kiely, T and Leahy, S
(2017)
'Responding Effectively to Domestic Burglary: A Critique of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015'
In Irish Criminal Law Journal;
[ULIR]
Exploring the impact of the Victims' Directive on service provision for victims of crime in Ireland
Susan Leahy and Eimear Spain
(2017)
Exploring the impact of the Victims' Directive on service provision for victims of crime in Ireland
In Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly;
pp. 519-538
'The Domestic Violence Bill: A Good Start but Not Enough'
Leahy, S
(2017)
'The Domestic Violence Bill: A Good Start but Not Enough'
In Irish Journal Of Family Law;
Too Much Information? Regulating Disclosure of Complainants' Personal Records in Sexual Offence Trials'
Leahy, S
(2016)
Too Much Information? Regulating Disclosure of Complainants' Personal Records in Sexual Offence Trials'
In Criminal Law Review;
pp. 229-244
[ULIR]
'Book Review: Thomas O'Malley, Sexual Offences, 2nd ed'
Susan Leahy
(2014)
'Book Review: Thomas O'Malley, Sexual Offences, 2nd ed'
In Irish Jurist ;
pp. 174-176
 'Acknowledging the role of the Criminal Justice System in Combatting Domestic Violence: Assessing the Recent Law Reform Commission's Recommendations'
Leahy, S
(2014)
 'Acknowledging the role of the Criminal Justice System in Combatting Domestic Violence: Assessing the Recent Law Reform Commission's Recommendations'
In Irish Journal Of Family Law;
pp. 9-
[ULIR]
 'No Means No' But Where's the Force? Addressing the Challenges of Formally Recognising Non-Violent Sexual Coercion as a Serious Criminal Offence'
Leahy, S
(2014)
 'No Means No' But Where's the Force? Addressing the Challenges of Formally Recognising Non-Violent Sexual Coercion as a Serious Criminal Offence'
In Journal Of Criminal Law;
pp. 309-325
DOI: 10.1350/jcla.2014.78.4.930
[ULIR]
'Whether Rules or Discretion? Developing a Best Practice Model for Controlling the Admissibility of Sexual Experience Evidence in Sexual Offence Trials'
Susan Leahy
(2014)
'Whether Rules or Discretion? Developing a Best Practice Model for Controlling the Admissibility of Sexual Experience Evidence in Sexual Offence Trials'
In Irish Journal of Legal Studies ;
pp. 65-91
[ULIR]
'Bad Laws or Bad Attitudes? Assessing the Impact of Societal Attitudes upon the Conviction Rate for Rape in Ireland'
Leahy, S
(2014)
'Bad Laws or Bad Attitudes? Assessing the Impact of Societal Attitudes upon the Conviction Rate for Rape in Ireland'
In Irish Journal Of Applied Social Studies;
pp. 18-29
[ULIR]
Reform of Irish Rape Law: The Need for a Legislative Definition of Consent'
Leahy, S
(2014)
Reform of Irish Rape Law: The Need for a Legislative Definition of Consent'
In Common Law World Review;
pp. 231-263
DOI: 10.1350/clwr.2014.43.3.0272
'The corroboration warning in sexual offence trials: final vestige of the historic suspicion of sexual offence complainants or a necessary protection for defendants?'
Susan Leahy
(2014)
'The corroboration warning in sexual offence trials: final vestige of the historic suspicion of sexual offence complainants or a necessary protection for defendants?'
In The International Journal of Evidence and Proof;
pp. 41-64
DOI: 10.1350/ijep.2014.18.1.442
[ULIR]
When Honest is not Good Enough: The Need for Reform of the Honest Belief Defence in Irish Rape Law
Leahy, Susan
(2013)
When Honest is not Good Enough: The Need for Reform of the Honest Belief Defence in Irish Rape Law
In Irish Criminal Law Journal;
pp. 2-10
'Summing Up in Rape Trials: The Challenge of Guiding Effectively and without Prejudice'
Leahy, S.
(2013)
'Summing Up in Rape Trials: The Challenge of Guiding Effectively and without Prejudice'
In Irish Criminal Law Journal;
pp. 102-107
[ULIR]
The Defendant's Right or a Bridge Too Far? Regulating Defence Access to Complainants' Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Cases Part 2
Leahy, S
(2012)
The Defendant's Right or a Bridge Too Far? Regulating Defence Access to Complainants' Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Cases Part 2
In Irish Criminal Law Journal;
pp. 34-
The Defendant's Right or a Bridge Too Far? Regulating Defence Access to Complainants' Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Cases Part 1'
Leahy, S
(2012)
The Defendant's Right or a Bridge Too Far? Regulating Defence Access to Complainants' Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Cases Part 1'
In Irish Criminal Law Journal;
Other Journals
Review of Sexual Assault and the Justice Gap: A Question of Attitude?
Leahy, S
(2008)
Review of Sexual Assault and the Justice Gap: A Question of Attitude?
In Web Journal of Current Legal Issues;
Hard Cases and Bad Law: An Overview of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006'
Leahy, S
(2008)
Hard Cases and Bad Law: An Overview of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006'
In Irish Law Times;
pp. 38-
In a Woman's Voice: A Feminist Analysis of Irish Rape Law'
Leahy, S
(2008)
In a Woman's Voice: A Feminist Analysis of Irish Rape Law'
In Irish Law TImes;
pp. 203-
Conference Publications
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference 2017
Leahy, S
(2017)
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference 2017
Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland
O'Sullivan K; Leahy S
(2017)
Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland
Unregistered Muslim Marriages Regulations and Contestations Symposium
OSullivan, K; Leahy S
(2017)
Unregistered Muslim Marriages Regulations and Contestations Symposium
De Monfort University, Leicester, England
Unregistered Muslim Marriages: Regulations and Contestations, De Montfort University, Leicester
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K
(2017)
Unregistered Muslim Marriages: Regulations and Contestations, De Montfort University, Leicester
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S
(2016)
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Leahy, S
(2016)
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Institute of Guidance Counsellors National Conference 2016
Kilcommins, S, Ryan, A & Leahy, S
(2016)
Institute of Guidance Counsellors National Conference 2016
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference 2016
O'Sullivan, K and Leahy, S
(2016)
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference 2016
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S
(2016)
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
University of Oxford, England
ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services 40th Anniversary National Conference, 'The Changing Face of Domestic Abuse'
Susan Leahy
(2015)
ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services 40th Anniversary National Conference, 'The Changing Face of Domestic Abuse'
'Victims' Rights: An Agenda for Change'
Susan Leahy
(2015)
'Victims' Rights: An Agenda for Change'
Legal Practitioners' CPD Event, University of Limerick
Susan Leahy
(2015)
Legal Practitioners' CPD Event, University of Limerick
Criminal Law Pedagogy Workshop
Shane Kilcommins, Eimear Spain, Susan Leahy
(2014)
Criminal Law Pedagogy Workshop
Institute of Guidance Counsellors CPD Event
Shane Kilcommins, Andrea Ryan, Susan Leahy
(2014)
Institute of Guidance Counsellors CPD Event
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Margaret Fitzgerald-O'Reilly and Susan Leahy
(2014)
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly and Susan Leahy
(2013)
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
North-South Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2013)
North-South Criminology Conference
University of Limerick Student Law Society Conference: Women's Rights
Susan Leahy
(2013)
University of Limerick Student Law Society Conference: Women's Rights
North-South Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2012)
North-South Criminology Conference
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
Susan Leahy
(2010)
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
North-South Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2010)
North-South Criminology Conference
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
Susan Leahy
(2009)
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
University College Dublin Annual Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2009)
University College Dublin Annual Criminology Conference
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
Susan Leahy
(2008)
University College Cork Postgraduate Conference
North-South Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2008)
North-South Criminology Conference
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Susan Leahy
(2008)
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
University College Dublin Institute of Criminology: Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy
(2007)
University College Dublin Institute of Criminology: Criminology Conference
Published Reports
Analysis of Text for the Mid-term Review of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021
Leahy, S, Cusack, A, Kilcommins, S, Spain, E & Vaughan, E
(2019)
Analysis of Text for the Mid-term Review of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021
Dublin :
Department of Justice
National or transnational projects to support victims of crime Justice Programme (JUST/2014/SPOB/AG/VICT): Draft National Report Ireland
Ryan, A; Leahy, S and Kilcommins, S
(2016)
National or transnational projects to support victims of crime Justice Programme (JUST/2014/SPOB/AG/VICT): Draft National Report Ireland
Greece :
Greece
pp. 1-88
Other Publications
Overcoming the Justice Gap': Tackling the Attitude Problem in Rape Trials
Leahy, S
(2020)
Overcoming the Justice Gap': Tackling the Attitude Problem in Rape Trials
Garda Review
The New Offence of Coercive Control: Opportunity and Challenge
Leahy, S
(2019)
The New Offence of Coercive Control: Opportunity and Challenge
Garda Review
'Proper training and resourcing key to safeguarding women'
Susan Leahy
(2019)
'Proper training and resourcing key to safeguarding women'
Defining Consent in Irish Sexual Offences Law: Unfinished Business
Leahy
(2018)
Defining Consent in Irish Sexual Offences Law: Unfinished Business
Criminal Justice in Ireland Blog
'A Question of Consent'
Leahy
(2018)
'A Question of Consent'
RTE Brainstorm
Time to reconsider whether Irish law protects complainants in rape trials
Leahy
(2018)
Time to reconsider whether Irish law protects complainants in rape trials
Irish Legal News
Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal
Susan Leahy and Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly
(2017)
Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal
Privilege, Third Party Disclosure, and Mandatory Recording of Offences
Shane kilcommins, Susan Leahy, Andrea Ryan
(2017)
Privilege, Third Party Disclosure, and Mandatory Recording of Offences
Institute of Guidance Counsellors, AGM, Limerick, May 5th, 2017 :
[ULIR]
The Civil Registration Act 2004 Implications for Muslim Marriages
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S
(2016)
The Civil Registration Act 2004 Implications for Muslim Marriages
In Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference ;
Waterford, Ireland :
'The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014: A Step in the Right Direction but Not Far Enough'
Susan Leahy
(2015)
'The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014: A Step in the Right Direction but Not Far Enough'
In Human Rights in Ireland Blog;
'Rape Law Needs To Be Based on A Clear Definition of Consent'
Susan Leahy
(2015)
'Rape Law Needs To Be Based on A Clear Definition of Consent'
In Irish Independent Newspaper;
'Law reform may change attitudes on sexual violence'
Susan Leahy
(2014)
'Law reform may change attitudes on sexual violence'
In Irish Examiner newspaper;
'LRC Report on Sexual Offences and Capacity to Consent: A Timely Assessment of a Complex Area'
Susan Leahy
(2013)
'LRC Report on Sexual Offences and Capacity to Consent: A Timely Assessment of a Complex Area'
In Human Rights in Ireland Blog;
'Reform of Irish Sexual Offences Legislation'
Susan Leahy
(2013)
'Reform of Irish Sexual Offences Legislation'
Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal on Sexual Offences
Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly and Susan Leahy
(2013)
Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal on Sexual Offences