The third episode of the Irish Courts Podcast Series 3 is now live.
Women as Property: The Tort of Criminal Conversation explores a little-known area of Irish legal history that remained part of Irish law until 1981. For centuries, a husband could sue another man for having an affair with his wife through a legal action known as "criminal conversation". The tort reflected a legal system in which women had few rights of their own and were often treated as property within marriage.
In this episode, Professor Niamh Howlin of University College Dublin, Dr Michael O'Connor and Professor Diane Urquhart of Queen's University Belfast examine the origins of criminal conversation, the role of women in these cases, and the social attitudes that allowed the practice to continue for centuries.
From high-profile court cases and jury awards to changing views on marriage, equality and women's rights, the discussion sheds light on what this unusual area of law reveals about Irish society and the evolution of legal rights.
The episode is led by Judge Gráinne Malone of the District Court and member of the Irish Courts Podcast editorial team.
Listen now: Women as Property: The Tort of Criminal Conversation
You can also catch up on previous episodes in Series 3 at The Irish Courts Podcast: https://theirishcourtspodcast.podbean.com/
