Law students win Irish Times debating competition

Law students win Irish Times debating competition

Pictured (left–right): Clíodhna McHugh, Ciara McLoughlin and Ceara Tonna-Barthet. (Credit: John Ohle)

Law students Ciara McLoughlin, Ceara Tonna-Barthet and Clíodhna McHugh have emerged as winners of the 64th Irish Times Debate.

The grand final of Ireland’s longest-running third-level debating competition took place at University College Dublin on Friday, with teams debating the motion: “This house believes referendums are no way to run a country.”

Ms McLoughlin and Ms Tonna-Barthet of the King’s Inns won the Demosthenes Trophy for best team, while Ms McHugh of the Solicitors’ Apprentice Debating Society picked up Christine Murphy Memorial Trophy for best individual speaker.

The trio will now head off for a three-week, all-expenses-paid tour of the United States from 11–30 March 2024.

Louise Cullen and Eoin Ryan of Trinity College Dublin’s LawSoc were runners-up in the team competition.

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