Darach Ó Séaghdha This the latest dispatch from our columnist Darach Ó Séaghdha, author of the award-winning and bestselling Motherfoclóir. Every week, Darach will be regaling us with insights on what the Irish language says about Ireland, our society, our past and our present. Enjoy.
Although there is a screening process, there are no qualifications or minimum levels of knowledge of a field required to be a juror, such as fluency.In this case, which I discussed on a recent Motherfocloir episode, a first-language Irish speaker was charged with the assault of another first-language Irish speaker, the alleged assault had taken place in the Gaeltacht.
Having said that Irish is the first language of the Republic of Ireland in accordance with Article 8 of the constitution. So it follows that there is plenty of legal terminology as Gaeilge to consider.There are a number of places in the constitution where things are recognised as having a certain status, and the Irish language text generally uses the word admhaigh for those entries.
Sometimes there is a doubt, though, and it can be enough to acquit someone- amhras réasúnach means reasonable doubt.