"Advise Ruth and Paul as to what criminal charges they might face."

[barryqwalsh]

The first question on today's Criminal Law exam asked students to advise a pair of protesters "as to what criminal charges they might face" having caused the death of an Irish Water employee.

"Ruth and Paul are opposed to water charges. They attend a protest outside the offices of Irish Water in Cork. Ruth paints slogans on the fences around the building and shouts verbal abuse at the workers as they enter the building calling them scum and shouting 'we know who you are, we will get you'.

"Paul, wanting to escalate the protest, runs past the fence and throws a lit match into a large rubbish bin positioned next to the office block thinking it will cause a small fire and upset the working of Irish Water by triggering the fire alarm. However, the fire quickly spreads to the building. Although the majority of the staff escape unharmed, Joan is trapped on the third floor. Rather than wait to be rescued, she jumps from a window in her panic and is severely injured. At the hospital Joan is put on life support. However, two weeks later the doctors confirm that there is no hope of recovery and decide to withdraw Joan's life support.

"Advise Ruth and Paul as to what criminal charges they might face."


Bizarre Irish Water question appears on UCC Law exam Irish Examiner