Community Groups
Innovative Legal Education Event Held in Castlebar
By Michelle Rooney
18, Feb 2012 - 10:24

Mayo Community Platform (MCP), working in partnership with Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA), hosted an innovative free Legal Education Event on the 15th of February 2012 in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The event was organised to build the capacity of organisations working with people experiencing poverty and social exclusion to use the legal system.

l-r Maria McHale (MCP) and Thomas J Walsh (Thomas J Walsh Solicitors).

The event was attended by representatives from NGOs, community and voluntary groups and the statutory sector. The central inputs on the day were provided by Michael Smyth, Solicitor with FG Phelan & Co Solicitors, who delivered a presentation on mental health law for the morning session. Michael spoke about the Mental Health Act 2001 and also took an in depth look at capacity and consent issues. Thomas J Walsh, Solicitor with Thomas J Walsh solicitors, delivered a presentation on family law for the afternoon session. Thomas spoke in great detail about the areas of access, custody and maintenance issues as well as domestic violence legislation including the law around protection and barring orders.

l-r Michelle Rooney (MCP), Maeve Regan (PILA), Lianne Murhpy (PILA), Bernadette Byrne (MCP), Maria McHale (MCP), Thomas J Walsh (Thomas J Walsh Solicitors), Therese Ruane (MCP), Rita Hopkins (MCP) and Con Murphy (MCP).

Lianne Murphy from the Public Interest Law Alliance said:

"We are delighted to be able to host this Legal Education Event in partnership with the Mayo Community Platform in Co. Mayo. It is important to raise awareness around the areas of mental health law and family law, and to increase individuals' and organisations' capacity and knowledge which I believe we have achieved here today. I would like to acknowledge the two solicitors who contributed their knowledge and time pro bono, which was crucial to the success of the event".

Michelle Rooney from the Mayo Community Platform said:

"The day was a huge success and extremely informative. It was great to see such a large turnout and we are confident that those who took part were able to take valuable learning away with them. The Mayo Community Platform is committed to building on the success of this event, and continuing to work collaboratively to support those affected by poverty and social exclusion."

l-r Lianne Murphy (PILA), Michael Smyth (FG Phelan & Co.Solicitors), Michelle Rooney (MCP), Bernadette Byrne (MCP), Maria McHale (MCP) and Maeve Regan (PILA).

Mayo Community Platform is a dynamic network of community development organisations which is committed to working collectively to address issues of poverty and inequality in Mayo. The platform seeks to have a critical voice on local and regional decision-making structures with responsibility for equality, social inclusion and community development.

PILA is a project of FLAC - Free Legal Advice Centres. It operates a pro bono referral scheme that matches expertise in the legal profession with specific legal needs in NGOs and community organisations. Through the scheme it aims to increase the capacity of organisations to use law in the public interest through legal education, law reform and litigation.