Legal Eagles Schools Programme
Our Legal Eagles programme for transition year students runs each year in two local schools in Coolock.
We work with the students via workshops and talks, encouraging a participatory environment to discuss a range of topics.
To date we have delivered talks and workshops to students on the following:
- Garda Powers (Stop & Searches) with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties
- Consent, Sex and the Law with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
- Community Garden Workshop with the Northside Partnership
- Environmental Justice
- Constitutional Law
We like to incorporate creative and artistic methods into our teaching.
In 2025 we facilitated a Know Your Rights Zine workshop which was led by Writer and Zine artist Robyn Gill. During the workshop students made educational Know Your Right zines about the lessons they had learnt during the programme.
The idea was that these could be used as educational resources going forward for the students and wider community.
The Legal Eagles programme provides a unique opportunity for the students learn about new topics, participate in open, critical discussions and engage in workshops with new groups.
In recent years we have also facilitated a mock trial within our programme. Over several lessons we help the students prepare for their case using sample evidence, testimonies, and witness statements. In 2025, students from Mercy College got the opportunity to argue at their mock trial case at the Law Society.
The aim is to foster interest and curiosity about the law and to encourage talented young people to consider pursuing a career in social justice and human rights.
Know Your Rights ZINE WORKSHOP at Community Law & Mediation’s Dublin Office!
Our annual Legal Eagles programme 2025 concluded on Thursday 13 November when we welcomed students from Mercy College Coolock to our Northside Dublin office for a zine-making workshop with writer and facilitator Robyn Gill.
Students had the opportunity to reflect on, evaluate, and share what they’ve learned through this year’s programme.
During the session, students designed their own interactive ‘Zine’ resources about what they learnt. Each of the 10 Zines produced by students were based on the Consent, Sex and the Law lesson with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, or on the Garda Powers (Stop and Searches) lesson with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Below, you can check out an interactive showcase of the student’s Zines, which act as DIY resources that you can download and print for yourself. If you’re interested in printing these resources, or designing your own, check out this short instructional video.
Consent, Sex and the Law
Some of the students in attendance designed their Zines around what they learned during their lessons on Consent, Sex and the Law with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
The topics they covered included:
- What is consent?
- Checking in for consent – phrases
- Ways to communicate a NO
- Ways to communicate a YES
- What does the law say?
Check all of them out below – You can download the Zines to print or read yourself:
Garda Powers (stop and searches)
Some of the other students designed their Zines around what they learned during their lessons on Garda Powers (Stop and Searches) with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
The topics that they covered included:
- When can a Garda Stop & Search me?
- A Stop & Search quiz
- A list of Stop & Search facts!
- Stop & Search do’s and don’ts
- Where to go if you feel like you have been mistreated by gardaí?
Check all of them out below – You can download the Zines to print or read yourself:
Many thanks to all of the students and staff of Mercy College Coolock that participated in the unforgettable workshop.
Note: These Zines were prepared by students as part of a learning exercise and do not contain legal advice.