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Staff Profiles

Dr. Charles O'Mahony

BA., LL.B., LL.M., LL.M., PhD

Contact Details

Lecturer in Law
No. 9 Distillery Road
University of Galway
T: +353 (0) 91 494391
E: charles.omahony@universityofgalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Charles is a lecturer at the University of Galway's School of Law, specialising in disability law and policy, mental health law and policy, and allied areas.  He uses the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as a framework in his research, identifying gaps in existing law and policy, and to identify reforms that align with international human rights standards. 

At the University of Galway, Charles is responsible for delivering modules for both law students, and nursing, mental health, and midwifery students.  He delivers a range of modules, including Introduction to Law, International & Comparative Disability Rights, Law & Ethics, and Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System.  Charles is dedicated to fostering a student-centred learning environment.  

Charles has published in leading peer-reviewed journals including, the International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, the Industrial Law Journal, the Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, and the International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice.  He co-edited one of the first books on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention, published by Clarus Press.  He has written on the disability law and policy, human rights law, and mental health law, which has been published as chapters in books by leading academic presses.  

He was Head of the School of Law from 2017-2021 and served two terms as President of the Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT).  He completed a PhD at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, the University of Galway entitled `Diversion: A Comparative Study of Law and Policy Relating to Defendants and Offenders with Mental Health Problems and Intellectual Disability'.  

Charles worked as a legal officer for Amnesty International Ireland, and as a legal researcher for the Law Reform Commission of Ireland.  He was awarded a LLM from University College London and a LLM in Public Law from the University of Galway.  He also completed a BA in Law and History and LLB at Galway.  

Research Interests

My research explores key aspects of private and public law, employing international human rights law and constitutional law as foundational frameworks to promote the rights of persons with disabilities.  Situated within disability law and policy, my work is centrally focused on human rights advocacy and law reform.  Key areas of investigation encompass mental health law reform, the development  of capacity law, addressing the misuse of genetic information, disability and the criminal justice system, and disability, discrimination and employment.  My aim is to contribute meaningful insights and foster law and policy reforms that respect the dignity, autonomy, and human rights of persons with disabilities.

Current research projects include a baseline study of the Right of Access to Justice for persons with Disabilities under Article 13 of the CRPD for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and an analysis of local authorities' role in implementing the CRPD for the Disability Federation of Ireland.  Charles has recently co-edited a collection of articles for the International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, focusing on law reform trends influenced by the CRPD, especially regarding mental health law and policy. 

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2021) A Human Rights Analysis of the Draft Heads of a Bill to Amend the Mental Health Act 2001.
Charles O'Mahony & Fiona Morrissey (2021) A Human Rights Analysis of the Draft Heads of a Bill to Amend the Mental Health Act 2001. Mental Health Reform, Dublin. [Details]
(2020) Indonesia vs. Suzethe Margaret, Fairness Report, TrialWatch.
Charles O'Mahony (2020) Indonesia vs. Suzethe Margaret, Fairness Report, TrialWatch. Clooney Foundation for Justice, TrialWatch, New York. [Details]
(2014) Cage beds, restraints and seclusion in Czech Psychiatric Institutions.
MDAC (2014) Cage beds, restraints and seclusion in Czech Psychiatric Institutions. MDAC, Budapest. [Details]
(2012) A Citizens Jury on Legal Capacity.
Charles O'Mahony et al (2012) A Citizens Jury on Legal Capacity. Amnesty International Ireland, Dublin. [Details]
(2010) Consultation Paper: Jury Service.
Charles O'Mahony (2010) Consultation Paper: Jury Service. Law Reform Commission, Dublin. [Details]
(2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights, Ireland.
Charles O'Mahony (2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights, Ireland. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Vienna. [Details]
(2007) Report (LRC 86-2007) Third programme of law reform 2008-2014.
Charles O'Mahony (2007) Report (LRC 86-2007) Third programme of law reform 2008-2014. Law Reform Commission, Dublin. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2019) 'The Irish Supreme Court judgment in Nano Nagle School v Marie Daly: a saga of litigation'
Shivaun Quinlivan and Charles O'Mahony (2019) 'The Irish Supreme Court judgment in Nano Nagle School v Marie Daly: a saga of litigation'. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, 70 (4):505-510 [Details]
(2017) 'Responding to Defendants and Offenders with Mental Health Problems in Ireland: The Need for Reform'
Charles O'Mahony (2017) 'Responding to Defendants and Offenders with Mental Health Problems in Ireland: The Need for Reform'. Irish Criminal Law Journal, 27 (2) [Details]
(2017) 'The Impact of International Human Rights Law on Irish Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law Reform'
Charles O'Mahony & Catriona Moloney (2017) 'The Impact of International Human Rights Law on Irish Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law Reform'. Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, [Details]
(2017) 'The use of behavioural genetics in the criminal justice system: A disability & human rights perspective'
Charles O'Mahony & Aisling de Paor (2017) 'The use of behavioural genetics in the criminal justice system: A disability & human rights perspective'. International Journal Of Law And Psychiatry, 54 :16-25 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Genetic Testing of Employees for Mental Illness in Ireland: Law, Policy and Reform'
Charles O'Mahony & Aisling de Paor (2016) 'Genetic Testing of Employees for Mental Illness in Ireland: Law, Policy and Reform'. Irish Employment Law Journal, 13 (3):64-71 [Details]
(2016) 'The Need to Protect Employees with Genetic Predisposition to Mental Illness? The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Case for Regulation'
Charles O'Mahony & Aisling de Paor (2016) 'The Need to Protect Employees with Genetic Predisposition to Mental Illness? The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Case for Regulation'. Industrial Law Journal, :1-31 [Details]
(2016) 'Laws on unfitness to stand trial and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Comparing reform in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Australia'
Charles O'Mahony & Piers Gooding (2016) 'Laws on unfitness to stand trial and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Comparing reform in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Australia'. International Journal of Law Crime and Justice, 44 :122-145 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Equal Recognition Before the Law: Legal Capacity as a Gatekeeper Right for Older Persons'
Charles O'Mahony (2015) 'Equal Recognition Before the Law: Legal Capacity as a Gatekeeper Right for Older Persons'. The Irish Community Development Law Journal, 4 (1):22-35 [Details]
(2012) 'Legal capacity and detention: Implications of the UN disability convention for the inspection standards of human rights monitoring bodies'
Charles O'Mahony (2012) 'Legal capacity and detention: Implications of the UN disability convention for the inspection standards of human rights monitoring bodies'. The International Journal of Human Rights, 16 (6):883-901 [Details]
(2009) '‘Annual Review of European Law and Policy’'
Charles O'Mahony, Joyce Mortimer & Maria Walls (2009) '‘Annual Review of European Law and Policy’'. European Yearbook Of Disability Law, [Details]
(2008) 'Employment law and reform: what is coming down the tracks?'
Charles O'Mahony & Claire Bruton (2008) 'Employment law and reform: what is coming down the tracks?'. Irish Employment Law Journal, [Details]
(2006) '‘A Legal Analysis of the Doctrine of Anticipatory Self Defence’'
O’Mahony, C and Mulcahy, J (2006) '‘A Legal Analysis of the Doctrine of Anticipatory Self Defence’'. Hanse Law Review, 2 (2) [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2017) Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention.
Charles O'Mahony & Gerard Quinn (Ed.). (2017) Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2024) 'Disability, Mental Health & International Human Rights Law: A Global Health Perspective'
Charles O'Mahony (2024) 'Disability, Mental Health & International Human Rights Law: A Global Health Perspective' In: Handbook on Disability and Global Health. United Kingdom: Routledge. [Details]
(2023) 'Implementation of Art. 12 of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in England & Wales and Northern Ireland'
Charles O'Mahony (2023) 'Implementation of Art. 12 of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in England & Wales and Northern Ireland' In: Models of implementation of Article 12 of the CRPD. United Kingdom: Routledge. [Details]
(2023) 'Implementation of the UN Convention Art. 12 on the rights of persons with disabilities in Ireland (Failure to Reform: Ireland¿s Compliance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)'
Charles O'Mahony & Aisling de Paor (2023) 'Implementation of the UN Convention Art. 12 on the rights of persons with disabilities in Ireland (Failure to Reform: Ireland¿s Compliance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)' In: Models of implementation of Article 12 of the CRPD. United Kingdom: Routledge. [Details]
(2020) 'The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'
Charles O'Mahony & Shivaun Quinlivan (2020) 'The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' In: Gerard McCann and Féilim Ó hAdhmaill (Eds) International Human Rights, Social Policy and Global Development: Critical Perspectives. :237-249 Bristol: Bristol University Press. [Details]
(2020) 'The EU Disability Strategy and the Future of EU Disability Policy'
Charles O'Mahony & Shivaun Quinlivan (2020) 'The EU Disability Strategy and the Future of EU Disability Policy' In: Delia Ferri, & Andrea Broderick (Eds) Research Handbook on EU Disability Law. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. [Details]
(2017) 'The Implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Criminal Responsibility'
Charles O'Mahony (2017) 'The Implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Criminal Responsibility' In: Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
(2017) 'The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Exploring the Synergy Between Article 12 legal capacity) & Article 19 (independent living)'
Charles O'Mahony & Sinead O'Donnell (2017) 'The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Exploring the Synergy Between Article 12 legal capacity) & Article 19 (independent living)' In: Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
(2017) 'The CRPD and the Fusion of Mental Health and Legal Capacity Legislation'
Charles O'Mahony & Ciara Hackett (2017) 'The CRPD and the Fusion of Mental Health and Legal Capacity Legislation' In: Disability Law and Policy: An Analysis of the UN Convention. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
(2016) 'Disability and Human Rights: A New Field in the United Nations'
Charles O'Mahony & Gerard Quinn (2016) 'Disability and Human Rights: A New Field in the United Nations' In: Selected Readings on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Beijing: People’s Publishing House. [Details]
(2012) 'Disability and Human Rights: A New Field in the United Nations'
Charles O'Mahony & Gerard Quinn (2012) 'Disability and Human Rights: A New Field in the United Nations' In: International Protection of Human Rights: A Textbook. Turku: Åbo Akademi University Institute for Human Rights. [Details]
(2008) 'Online Consumer Protection: Theories of Human Relativism'
Charles O'Mahony & Philip Flaherty (2008) 'Online Consumer Protection: Theories of Human Relativism' In: The Legal Framework for Data and Consumer Protection in Europe. Pennsylvania: IGI Global. [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2012) 'Diversionary Tactics'
Charles O'Mahony (2012) 'Diversionary Tactics' Law Society Gazette, . [Details]
(2007) 'Land Law Reform: Past, Present and Future'
Charles O'Mahony and Joanne Lynch (2007) 'Land Law Reform: Past, Present and Future' Conveyancing and Property Law Journal, 12 (2) . [Details]
(2007) 'BCI Code of Programme Standards: Looking Back and Looking Ahead'
Charles O'Mahony et al (2007) 'BCI Code of Programme Standards: Looking Back and Looking Ahead' NUI Galway Student Law Review, . [Details]
(2007) 'Setting an agenda for the next decade'
Charles O'Mahony (2007) 'Setting an agenda for the next decade' Australian Law Reform Journal, 70 . [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2023) The Diversion of Persons with Disabilities from the Criminal Justice System: Identifying and Responding to Barriers to Compliance with the CRPD,
Charles O'Mahony (2023) ERC Roots of Responsibility workshop, 'Rethinking Legal Insanity: Exploring Options for Insanity Defence Reform in Light of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). [Invited Paper], The Diversion of Persons with Disabilities from the Criminal Justice System: Identifying and Responding to Barriers to Compliance with the CRPD, London , 15-JUN-23 - 16-JUN-23. [Details]
(2023) Nordic Network of Disability Research, 16th Research Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2023) The Exclusion of Persons with Disabilities from Undertaking Jury Service: International Human Rights Law as a Tool to Challenge Discrimination'. [Oral Presentation], Nordic Network of Disability Research, 16th Research Conference, Reykjavik , 10-MAY-23 - 12-MAR-23. [Details]
(2023) Third UK and Ireland Mental Diversity Law Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2023) Recognition of Legal Capacity Delayed: Reform of Mental Capacity Law in Ireland & Northern Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Third UK and Ireland Mental Diversity Law Conference, Trent Building, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham , 06-JUL-23 - 07-JUL-23. [Details]
(2022) 14th Annual Critical Voices Conference 2022,
Charles O'Mahony, Fiona Anderson, Liz Brosnan, Harry Gijbels, Jennifer Hough, Deirdre Lillis, Fiona Morrissey, & Rosy Wilson (2022) Advocates for Human Rights in Mental Health: Affecting Human Rights-Based Approaches in new Mental Health and Capacity Legislation. [Invited Oral Presentation], 14th Annual Critical Voices Conference 2022, Cork , 16-NOV-22 - 17-NOV-22. [Details]
(2016) Inaugural UK Mental Disability Law Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) The Legality of the Insanity Defense under International Human Rights Law. [Other], Inaugural UK Mental Disability Law Conference, University of Nottingham , 30-JUN-16 - 01-JUL-16. [Details]
(2016) ERC VOICES Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) Criminal Responsibility & International Human Rights Law’. [Invited Oral Presentation], ERC VOICES Conference, Dublin , 26-FEB-16 - 26-FEB-16. [Details]
(2016) Human Rights Workshop with LGBTI Seychelles,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) Decriminalisation of Same-Sex Sexual Activity: Human Rights. [Invited Oral Presentation], Human Rights Workshop with LGBTI Seychelles, Mahe, Seychelles , 19-MAR-16 - 20-MAR-16. [Details]
(2016) 3U, Healthcare, Ethics & Law Master Class,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) The International Human Rights Framework: Putting the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Legislation into Context. [Invited Oral Presentation], 3U, Healthcare, Ethics & Law Master Class, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin , 19-FEB-16 - 19-FEB-16. [Details]
(2016) Work Forum on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) Impact of Human Rights approach in Member States' legislation: Legal capacity in Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], Work Forum on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, European Commission, Brussels , 10-JUN-16 - 10-JUN-16. [Details]
(2016) Dublin City University, Socio-Legal Research Seminar Series,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) Persons with Mental Health Problems and the Criminal Justice System in Ireland: Law, Policy and Reform. [Invited Oral Presentation], Dublin City University, Socio-Legal Research Seminar Series, Dublin , 06-APR-16 - 06-APR-16. [Details]
(2016) Implementation of the UN Convention on Rights of Disabled Persons: A common cause, Polish Disability Forum,
Charles O'Mahony (2016) Article 13 (Access to Justice) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [Invited Oral Presentation], Implementation of the UN Convention on Rights of Disabled Persons: A common cause, Polish Disability Forum, Warsaw , 02-SEP-16 - 02-SEP-16. [Details]
(2015) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2015) Human Rights Based Reform of Mental Health Law & Legal Capacity Law in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Galway , 27-NOV-15 - 29-NOV-15. [Details]
(2014) Dementia & Legal Capacity: The Need for a Multi-Agency Response,
Charles O'Mahony (2014) The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: The Promise of Law Reform. [Keynote Address], Dementia & Legal Capacity: The Need for a Multi-Agency Response, Letterkenny Institute of Technology , 28-APR-14 - 28-APR-14. [Details]
(2014) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2014) Legal Academics and Review and Reform of Mental Health Legislation. [Conference Paper], Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Kilkenny p , 07-NOV-14 - 09-NOV-14. [Details]
(2011) Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR), 11th Research Conference,
Charles O'Mahony (2011) Legal Capacity: Criminal law, Insanity and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR), 11th Research Conference, Reykjavik , 26-MAY-11 - 27-MAY-11. [Details]

Editorship of Journals

  Year Publication
(2024) Mental Health, Human Rights Law & the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Law Reform Trends.
Charles O'Mahony, Liz Brosnan, & Bo Chen (2024) Mental Health, Human Rights Law & the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Law Reform Trends. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry Editorship of Journals [Details]

Electronic Publication

  Year Publication
(2022) What's needed for better child mental health services in Ireland?.
Charles O'Mahony (2022) What's needed for better child mental health services in Ireland?. Dublin: RTÉ Brainstorm Electronic Publication [Details]
(2022) Proposed changes to the Mental Health Act must prioritise human rights.
Charles O'Mahony, Fiona Morrissey, Jennifer Hough, Fiona Anderson, Liz Brosnan, Rosy Wilson, Harry Gijbels, Deirdre Lillis (2022) Proposed changes to the Mental Health Act must prioritise human rights. Dublin: Journal.ie Electronic Publication [Details]
(2014) Report Into the Death of Gary Douch & the Provision for Mentally Ill Prisoners in Ireland.
Charles O'Mahony (2014) Report Into the Death of Gary Douch & the Provision for Mentally Ill Prisoners in Ireland. Dublin: Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) Electronic Publication [Details]

Invited Lectures

  Year Publication
(2015) Discapacidad, Salud Mental y Cuidado.
Charles O'Mahony (2015) Discapacidad, Salud Mental y Cuidado. Invited Lectures [Details]

Invited papers

  Year Publication
(2011) What is the link between legal capacity and detention.
Charles O'Mahony (2011) What is the link between legal capacity and detention. Strasbourg: Workshop implications of the CRPD for CPT inspection standards Invited papers [Details]

Invited Seminars

  Year Publication
(2024) Baseline Study: Right to Access to Justice, Article 13 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities .
Charles O'Mahony (2024) Baseline Study: Right to Access to Justice, Article 13 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . Dublin: Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission Invited Seminars [Details]
(2024) Understanding & Applying Your Rights | Education Advocacy & Rights.
Charles O'Mahony (2024) Understanding & Applying Your Rights | Education Advocacy & Rights. Dublin: AHEAD Invited Seminars [Details]
(2022) Irish Mental Health Law, Law Reform & Human Rights.
Charles O'Mahony (2022) Irish Mental Health Law, Law Reform & Human Rights. Letterkenny: Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Invited Seminars [Details]
(2022) Mental Health Commission Seminar | Seclusion & Restraint.
Charles O'Mahony & Fiona Morrissey (2022) Mental Health Commission Seminar | Seclusion & Restraint. Invited Seminars [Details]
(2019) Learning from each other; Critical Reflections of the intersections between Mental Health Act 2001 and Human Rights.
Charles O'Mahony (2019) Learning from each other; Critical Reflections of the intersections between Mental Health Act 2001 and Human Rights. Invited Seminars [Details]

Newspaper Articles

  Year Publication
(2022) People with extreme mental distress are discriminated against.
Charles O'Mahony, Fiona Morrissey, Jennifer Hough, Fiona Anderson, Liz Brosnan, Rosy Wilson, Harry Gijbels, Deirdre Lillis (2022) People with extreme mental distress are discriminated against. Cork: Irish Examiner Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2014) What happened in Bungalow 3: How the law must change.
Charles O'Mahony (2014) What happened in Bungalow 3: How the law must change. Newspaper Articles [Details]

Policy Contribution

  Year Publication
(2022) Submission to Sub-Committee for Pre- Legislative Scrutiny on the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021.
Charles O'Mahony, Fiona Morrissey, Rosy Wilson, Jennifer Hough, Deirdre Lillis, Fiona Anderson, Harry Gijbels, Liz Brosnan (2022) Submission to Sub-Committee for Pre- Legislative Scrutiny on the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2021. Dublin: Oireachtas Policy Contribution [Details]
(2012) Amnesty International's Response to the Interim Report of the Steering Group on the review of the Mental Health Act 2001.
Charles O'Mahony et al (2012) Amnesty International's Response to the Interim Report of the Steering Group on the review of the Mental Health Act 2001. Dublin: Amnesty International Policy Contribution [Details]
(2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission on Mental Capacity Bill to Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.
Charles O'Mahony, Gerard Quinn, & Eilionóir Flynn (2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission on Mental Capacity Bill to Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. Policy Contribution [Details]
(2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission to 10 year Review of the Mental Health Act 2001.
Charles O'Mahony, Mary Keys, Eilionóir Flynn, Anna Arstein-Kerslake, Suzanne Doyle, Catriona Moloney (2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission to 10 year Review of the Mental Health Act 2001. Policy Contribution [Details]
(2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission to Ireland's Report for the Universal Periodic Review.
Charles O'Mahony, Eilionóir Flynn, Mary Keogh, Aisling de Paor, Maria Walls, Meredith Raley, Noeline Fox (2011) Centre for Disability Law and Policy Submission to Ireland's Report for the Universal Periodic Review. Policy Contribution [Details]

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Executive of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law Member 01-MAY-17 / 30-APR-21
Academic Council Member 01-MAY-17 / 30-APR-21
Law School Executive Chair 01-MAY-17 / 30-APR-21
School of Law Research Committee Member & Research Culture Officer 01-JAN-17 /
Research Ethics Committee, University Hospital Galway Member 25-JUL-16 / 30-SEP-22

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2019 Law School of the Year Award (Accepted on Behalf of the School of Law, University of Galway) Irish Law Awards
2018 Charlemont Grant Awardee Royal Irish Academy
2018 Visiting Scholar School of Law, University of Leeds
2010 Visiting Scholar Center for the Study of Law and Society, University of California Berkeley
2015 Elected President of the Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT) Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT)
2014 Elected President of the Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT) Irish Association of Law Teachers
2009 PRTLI PhD Scholarship (4-Years) Higher Education Authority

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Association of Law Teachers Member 03-SEP-13 /
Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-discrimination Law Member 05-SEP-22 /
Mental Disability Law Network, University of Nottingham Member of Committee 04-SEP-23 /
Society of Legal Scholars Member 03-SEP-12 /
Socio-Legal Studies Association Member 01-JAN-08 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
School of Law, University College Dublin Senior Tutor in Law (the Irish Legal Systems, Tort Law, Constitutional Law) 04-SEP-06 / 29-AUG-08
Law Reform Commission of Ireland Legal Researcher 04-SEP-06 / 29-AUG-08
Amnesty International Ireland Legal Officer 01-SEP-11 / 31-AUG-12
TU Dublin Assistant Lecturer in Law (Criminal Law & European Human Rights Law) 04-SEP-06 / 29-AUG-08

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2016 CELT, University of Galway PG Certificate Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
2013 Centre for Disability Law & Policy, School of Law, University of Galway PhD Law
2006 School of Law, University of Galway LLM Public Law
2005 Faculty of Law, University College London LLM Law
2004 School of Law, University of Galway LLB Law
2003 School of Law, University of Galway BA Law & History

Consultancy

  Client Description
Office of the Inspector of Prisons Expert Panel
Appointment as a member of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons Expert Panel

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Advocacy Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, Brothers of Charity 05-MAY-14 /
Policy Development Expert Advisory Group on Review of the Rules and Code of Practice governing the use of seclusion, mechanical means of bodily restraint and physical restraint in Approved Centres 02-JUL-21 / 01-SEP-22
Advocacy Member of Advocates for Human Rights in Mental Health Care 04-JAN-21 /

Reviews

  Journal Role
International Journal of Disability and Social Justice Editoral Board

Teaching Interests

Charles has taught a range of private and public law subjects to law and non-law students.  He uses innovative pedagogical approaches, including project-based, problem-based, and challenge-based learning, to empower students to explore and solve real-world challenges.  He also seeks to use technology where possible in the curriculum, and strives to cultivate an environment of critical thinking, creativity, and love for lifelong learning. 


Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2020 Bo Chen PhD Y
2023 Ray Lynch LL.M Y

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
James Carson Doctorate - Structured Ph.D. in the College of Business, Law & Public Policy Supervisor
Caitriona Donnellon Doctorate - Structured Ph.D. in the College of Business, Law & Public Policy Supervisor
Anna Doyle Doctorate - Ph.D. In Law Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2017-Present Introduction to Law LW103.i
2012-Present International & Comparative Disability Rights LW370
2024-Present Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System LW508
2021-Present Law & Ethics NU3104
2018-Present Guided Research Essay LW3129
2020-Present Professional Work Placement LW3125
2023-2024 Revenue Law 1 LW3156
2023-2024 Mental Health Law & Policy LW561
2013-2017 Minors, Minority Groups & the Criminal Justice System LW508
2015-2019 Law, Regulation and Policy LW484
2014-2018 Media Law LW354
2013-2021 Health Law & Policy LW405
2012-2014 Constitutional Law 1 LW227
2012-2014 Constitutional Law 2 LW228
2012-2015 Legal Skills LW126
2011-2013 The Criminal Jury LW493

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