Module: Criminal Law

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Criminal Law
Module Code	LAW1026 (ITS: LG325)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims: - to examine the origins and purpose of criminal law; - to consider the elements of a crime (actus reus, mens rea); - to explore the common law rules and legislation regulating the criminal law, with an investigation of the context in which such rules have developed; - to develop the necessary skills to determine criminal liability, construct defences and critically analyse the criminal law.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the function of criminal law in society;
2. Recount the basic principles of criminal law, and the context of their development and application;
3. Describe and apply the rules of criminal law;
4. Solve realistic problems with reference to case law and legislation;
5. Critique the development of Irish criminal law in relation to particular offences and defences.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	76	Reading for lectures
Independent Study	25	Exam Revision
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10892	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Yvonne Daly	Module Teacher	Lynn Clarke-Hearty, Tanya Ní Mhuirthile

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	End-of-Semester

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

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System – origins and purpose of criminal law; evolving and changing definitions of criminal behaviour; brief introduction to criminological theories;

Criminal Liability – burden and standard of proof; elements of a crime (actus reus, mens rea); secondary liability, including common design.

Inchoate offences – attempt, incitement, conspiracy; defences to inchoate offences

General defences – infancy, intoxication, insanity, automatism, self-defence, provocation, duress, necessity, entrapment, mistake, consent

Offences against the Person (Fatal) – Murder and manslaughter – critical analysis of murder rates in Ireland

Offences against the Person (Non-Fatal) – Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997
assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, syringe attacks – societal influences on development of non-fatal offences

Sexual Offences – sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, rape under section 4 – critical perspectives on sexual offences

Offences against Property – Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001
theft, robbery, burglary, handling stolen property, criminal damage

Within this module there will also be an opportunity for students to participate in a tour of Mountjoy Prison.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

McIntyre, McMullan and Ó Toghda: 2012, Criminal Law, Round Hall, 978185800585
Campbell, Kilcommins and O Sullivan: 2009, Criminal Law in Ireland – Cases and Commentary, Clarus Press, Dublin,
Hanly: 2006, An Introduction to Irish Criminal Law, 2nd, Gill and Macmillan, Dublin,
Charleton, McDermott and Bolger: 1999, Criminal Law, Butterworths, Dublin,
Smith and Hogan: 2009, Criminal Law: Cases and Materials, 10th, OUP, London,
Lacey and Wells: 2003, Reconstructing Criminal Law, 3rd, CUP,
McGreal: 2003, , Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, Thomson/Round Hall, Dublin,
Ashworth, A.: 2009, Principles of Criminal Law, 6th, OUP,
Walsh: 2002, Criminal Procedure, Thomson / Round Hall, Dublin,
O Mahony (ed.): 2002, Criminal Justice in Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, Dublin,
Smith and Hogan: 2008, Criminal Law, 12th, OUP,
Norrie: 2001, Crime, Reason and History: A Critical Introduction to Criminal Law, 2nd, CUP,
O Donnell and O Sullivan: 2001, Crime Control in Ireland: The Politics of Intolerance, Cork University Press,
McAuley and McCutcheon: 2000, Criminal Liability, Round Hall, Dublin,
Bibbings and Nicolson: 2000, Feminist Perspectives on Criminal Law, Routledge, UK,
Bacik and O Connell (eds.): 1998, Crime and Poverty in Ireland, Round Hall, Dublin,
O Malley: 1996, Sexual Offences: Law, Policy and Punishment, Round Hall / Sweet and Maxwell, Dublin,
O Mahony: 1996, Criminal Chaos, Round Hall, Dublin,
Fennell: 1993, Crime and Crisis in Ireland, Cork University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Reports: Law Reform Commission Consultation Papers and Reports on criminal law issues, e.g. Report on Homicide: Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter (January 2008), Consultation Paper on Legitimate Defence (November 2006),
Electronic Sources: Justis, WestLaw IE, FirstLaw, LexisNexis, www.bailii.org, www.irishstatutebook.ie, www.lawreform.ie, www.courts.ie, www.echr.coe.int,
Moodle: Lecture notes and links to relevant journal articles, case-law and websites will be available on the DCU Moodle page for this module.,
Other Journals: Students should also regularly refer to relevant journals, such as the Irish Criminal Law Journal, the Judicial Studies Institute Journal, and the Dublin University Law Journal,