Module: Advanced Criminal Law

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced Criminal Law
Module Code	LAW1006 (ITS: LG130)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims: - to build upon the understanding of the criminal law and the criminal justice system which students will have acquired in the Criminal Law module; - to provide a deeper, socio-legal analysis of the development of particular criminal offences and the methods of addressing such offences, through the study of case-law and legislation; - to provide theoretical frameworks for conceptualising and analysing the operation of criminal law and the criminal justice system - to consider the operation of the criminal justice system through the lens of a number of key moments in the system

Learning Outcomes

1. describe and critically assess the basis of criminal liability, selected offences and selected defences to criminal charges
2. discuss the main criminal justice theories;
3. account for many of the changes in the criminalisation of and responses to certain activities in Ireland (and other jurisdictions);
4. apply criminal justice theories to the development of the Irish criminal justice system, with reference to relevant case-law, legislation and societal influences;
5. and, apply case-law and legislation, as well as theory, to criminal law problems.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	6	Preparation, Attendance and Participation in Tutorial
Assignment Completion	35	Research and write up
Independent Study	60	Reading for lectures and tutorials
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20592	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lauren O'Connell	Module Teacher	Kenneth McDonagh, Luke Noonan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	2 written assignments of 1,500 words each	80%	n/a
Presentation	2-3 minute presentation on a Criminal Justice topic	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Sexual Offences
Socio-legal analysis of the law relating to sexual offences, with particular focus on rape myths and consent; overview of legislation and case law relating to the offences of rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, image based sexual abuse, exploitative sexual offences, and incest; the proper extent of criminalisation of sexual conduct; evidential issues in the proof of sexual offences; issues with the current law.

Mental Disorder and Crime
An examination of criminal defences and procedures from a critical disability perspective; considers the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Includes critical reflection on the insanity defence, infanticide, diminished responsibility, involuntary detention, and fitness to be tried procedures.

What is crime?
Consideration of a range of perspectives on the source of the concept of crime, including social construction. Critical reflection on our knowledge about crime, particular crime surveys and statistics

Current criminal issues
Study of current issues of criminal law which allow for critical, socio-legal analysis of the role and function of criminal law. May include, for instance, sex work, drugs, body modification, and the Special Criminal Court.

Juvenile Justice
An examination of criminal procedure in relation to child offenders: age of criminal responsibility; garda diversion programme; Children Court; sentencing; imprisonment as last resort

Victims
Victims' place in the criminal justice system: victim information rights; compensation; victim impact statements

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Campbell, Kilcommins, O’Sullivan & Cusack: 2021, Criminal Law in Ireland: Cases and Commentary, 2nd, Clarus Press, Dublin,
Charleton, McDermott, Herlihy & Byrne: 2020, Charleton & McDermott’s Criminal Law and Evidence, 2nd, Bloomsbury, Dublin,
Hale, Hayward, Wahidin and Wincup: 2009, Criminology, 2nd, OUP,
O’Malley: 2013, Sexual Offences, 2nd, Round Hall, Dublin,
Hanly: 2015, An Introduction to Irish Criminal Law, 3rd, Gill Education, Dublin,
McAuley & McCutcheon: 2022, Criminal Liability, 2nd, Round Hall, Dublin,
Simester & Von Hirsch: 2011, Crimes, Harms and Wrongs, Hart Publishing, Oxford,
Conway, Daly & Schweppe: 2010, Irish Criminal Justice: Theory, Process and Procedure, Clarus Press, Dublin,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Loop: Lecture notes and links to relevant journal articles, case-law and websites will be available on the DCU Loop page for this module.,
Electronic Resources: Some useful electronic resources are: VLex, WestLaw IE, LexisNexis, www.bailii.org, www.irishstatutebook.ie, www.lawreform.ie, www.courts.ie, www.echr.coe.int,
Journals: Students should also regularly refer to relevant journals, such as the Irish Criminal Law Journal, the Irish Jurist, Dublin University Law Journal, and the British Journal of Criminology.,