Dr. Susan Leahy
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. Her funded research includes a 2021 report, The Realities of Irish Rape Trials: Perspectives from Practice, which was funded by the Irish Research Council and conducted in partnership with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. This research involved interviews with Irish legal professionals and court accompaniment workers who work within Irish rape trials.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 director of the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies (CCJVS).
Peer Reviewed Journals
Consent in Irish Rape Trials: Rules, Realities and Reform
Leahy, S. (2023) Consent in Irish Rape Trials: Rules, Realities and Reform. Irish Judicial Studies Journal :82-96
Still a private matter? Evaluating the Irish State's response to domestic abuse
Leahy S. (2023) Still a private matter? Evaluating the Irish State's response to domestic abuse. International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family
What Is Next for Irish Law and Policy on Domestic Abuse?: Lessons from our Neighbours'
Leahy, S (2022) What Is Next for Irish Law and Policy on Domestic Abuse?: Lessons from our Neighbours'. Irish Journal Of Family Law :65-72
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. Sexual Violence On Trial: Local And Comparative Perspectives :149-161
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. Journal Of Contemporary Criminal Justice
Criminal Offences Relating to Marriage Formation: Reflections on Recent Developments
Leahy, S (2019) Criminal Offences Relating to Marriage Formation: Reflections on Recent Developments. Irish Journal Of Family Law :87-93
Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications
Leahy S.;O’Sullivan K. (2019) Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs
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' . Child and Family Law Quarterly :279-300
'The Domestic Violence Bill: A Good Start but Not Enough'
Leahy, S (2017) 'The Domestic Violence Bill: A Good Start but Not Enough' . Irish Journal Of Family Law
'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'. Irish Criminal Law Journal
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. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly :519-538
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' . Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly
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' . Criminal Law Review :229-244
'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?'. The International Journal of Evidence and Proof :41-64
'Book Review: Thomas O'Malley, Sexual Offences, 2nd ed'
Susan Leahy (2014) 'Book Review: Thomas O'Malley, Sexual Offences, 2nd ed' . Irish Jurist :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'. Irish Journal Of Family Law :9-
 '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'. Journal Of Criminal Law :309-325
'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'. Irish Journal of Legal Studies :65-91
'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' . Irish Journal Of Applied Social Studies :18-29
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' . Common Law World Review :231-263
'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' . Irish Criminal Law Journal :102-107
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. Irish Criminal Law Journal :2-10
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. Irish Criminal Law Journal :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' . Irish Criminal Law Journal
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 . Netherlands : (2nd edn, Kluwer 2017)
Sports Law in Ireland
Donnellan L, and Leahy S, (2014) Sports Law in Ireland . Netherlands : (Kluwer 2014)
Book Chapters
'Protection from Family Abuse'
Leahy, S (2023) 'Protection from Family Abuse'. Dublin : Clarus Press 'Family Law in Context'
Effectively Recognizing and Punishing Sexual Coercion: Proposals for Reform'
Leahy, S. (2022) Effectively Recognizing and Punishing Sexual Coercion: Proposals for Reform' . UK : Emerald Publishing 'Rough Sex' and the Criminal Law: Global Perspectives'
'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'. Oxon : Routledge 'Sexual Violence on Trial: Local and Comparative Perspectives' :149-161
Sexual Offences Law in Ireland Countering Gendered Stereotypes in Adjudications of Consent in Rape Trials
Leahy, S (2019) Sexual Offences Law in Ireland Countering Gendered Stereotypes in Adjudications of Consent in Rape Trials. OXFORD : HART PUBLISHING LTD LAW AND GENDER IN MODERN IRELAND: CRITIQUE AND REFORM :3-19
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' . Leiden: Netherlands : Brill Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context :108-130
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' . Oxford : Hart Law and Gender in Modern Ireland: Critique and Reform
Section 5 Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (Ireland)'
Leahy, S (2018) Section 5 Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 (Ireland)' . Oxford : Hart 'Women's Legal Landmarks: Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Law in the UK and Ireland'
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'. London : Routledge The Teaching of Criminal Law: The Pedagogical Imperatives :194-205
The Development of Victims Rights in Ireland
Shane Kilcommins, Susan Leahy, and Eimear Spain (2016) The Development of Victims Rights in Ireland. OUP : Oxford University Press Criminal Litigation
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. The Teaching of Criminal Law: The pedagogical imperatives :194-205
Edited Books
Other Journals
Education and training for nurses and midwives to conduct Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (SAFE): a systematic Review
Noonan, M. Coffey, A. Doody, O. Atkinson, S. Bradshaw, C. Hennessey, T. McCarthy, M. Dore, L. Leahy, S. O'Connor, S. Bannerman, M. McSherry, E. Grealish, AM. (2021) Education and training for nurses and midwives to conduct Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (SAFE): a systematic Review. PROSPERO
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?. 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' . Irish Law Times :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' . Irish Law TImes :203-
Conference Publications
Annual North-South Criminology Conference
Leahy, S (2022) Annual North-South Criminology Conference.
Crime, Justice and the Human Condition: Howard League for Penal Reform
Leahy, S (2022) Crime, Justice and the Human Condition: Howard League for Penal Reform.
, Research GBA- Online Conference on Best Practice in Engaged Research & Research Translation in DSGBA
Leahy, S (2022) , Research GBA- Online Conference on Best Practice in Engaged Research & Research Translation in DSGBA.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Cardiff (virtual event)
Leahy, S. (2021) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Cardiff (virtual event).
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Webinar
Leahy, S. (2020) Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Webinar.
Round-Table on Consent in Sexual Offences Law, Queen's University Belfast
Leahy, S. (2020) Round-Table on Consent in Sexual Offences Law, Queen's University Belfast.
6th Annual Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference: Sexual Offences: The Challenge of Balancing Rights in the Criminal Justice System, Dublin Castle
Leahy, S. (2019) 6th Annual Irish Criminal Justice Agencies Conference: Sexual Offences: The Challenge of Balancing Rights in the Criminal Justice System, Dublin Castle.
New Directions in Sexual Violence Workshop, University of Bristol
Leahy, S. (2019) New Directions in Sexual Violence Workshop, University of Bristol.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Birmingham
Leahy, S. (2019) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Birmingham.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Bristol,
Leahy, S., Fitzgerald-O'Reilly, M. (2018) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference, University of Bristol, .
Europe's New Migrants: Marriage Practices and Policies, University of Birmingham, 17th April 2018
Leahy, S. O'Sullivan, K. (2018) Europe's New Migrants: Marriage Practices and Policies, University of Birmingham, 17th April 2018 .
Sexual Offences on Trial Conference, Queen's University Belfast
Leahy, S. (2018) Sexual Offences on Trial Conference, Queen's University Belfast.
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.
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.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference 2017
Leahy, S (2017) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference 2017.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Leahy, S (2016) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference .
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) Society of Legal Scholars 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.
Legal Practitioners' CPD Event, University of Limerick
Susan Leahy (2015) Legal Practitioners' CPD Event, University of Limerick .
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'.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Margaret Fitzgerald-O'Reilly and Susan Leahy (2014) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference .
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.
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 .
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 (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.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Susan Leahy (2008) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual 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 .
University College Dublin Institute of Criminology: Criminology Conference
Susan Leahy (2007) University College Dublin Institute of Criminology: Criminology Conference .
Conference Contributions
National Sexual Assault Treatment Unit Study Day
Noonan, M., Doody, O., Atkinson S., Grealish, AM, Hennessey, T., Bradshaw, C., McCarthy, J., Dore, L., Leahy, S., Bannerman, M., McSherry, E., Coffey, A. (2022) National Sexual Assault Treatment Unit Study Day.
Published Reports
'The Realities of Rape Trials in Ireland: Perspectives from Practice'
Leahy, S (2021) 'The Realities of Rape Trials in Ireland: Perspectives from Practice'. Dublin : Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Training for Nurses and Midwives: National and International Evidence to Inform Future Training in Ireland.
Noonan, M., Doody, O., Atkinson S., Grealish, AM, Hennessey, T., Bradshaw, C., McCarthy, J., Dore, L., Leahy, S., Bannerman, M., McSherry, E., Coffey, A. (2021) Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Training for Nurses and Midwives: National and International Evidence to Inform Future Training in Ireland.. Limerick : University of Limerick and Health Service Executive.
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 :1-88
Editorials
Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal
Susan Leahy and Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly (2017) Special Edition of the Irish Criminal Law Journal .
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.
Book Reviews
Other Publications
'Unnecessary Intrusion? Disclosure of Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Trials'
Leahy, S (2022) 'Unnecessary Intrusion? Disclosure of Counselling Records in Sexual Offence Trials'.
'Opinion: Justice delayed really is justice denied in rape trials', TheJournal.ie, 22 June 2021
Leahy, S (2021) 'Opinion: Justice delayed really is justice denied in rape trials', TheJournal.ie, 22 June 2021.
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'.
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
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
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
'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'. Irish Independent Newspaper
'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'. Human Rights in Ireland Blog
'Law reform may change attitudes on sexual violence'
Susan Leahy (2014) 'Law reform may change attitudes on sexual violence'. Irish Examiner newspaper
'Reform of Irish Sexual Offences Legislation'
Susan Leahy (2013) 'Reform of Irish Sexual Offences Legislation'.
'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'. Human Rights in Ireland Blog
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.