University College Cork

1. Home
2. Law
3. People
4. Catherine O'Sullivan

‍

Biography

Catherine O'Sullivan is a graduate of UCC (B.C.L. 1995, LL.M. 1996). She completed a Ph.D. at Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, in 2005. Her doctoral thesis analyses the legal and societal reaction to a sexually violent female offender. Her main research interests lie in Criminal Law, Criminology, Gender and the Law, Children’s Rights and Law and Popular Culture.  ‍

Research Interests

Law and Literature, Feminist Legal Theory, Criminal Law, Social Constructionism, Female Criminality

Research Grants

	Project	Funding Body	Start Date	End Date	Award
	The Operation of the Court System in Domestic Violence Cases: A Literature Review				€16,105.98
	Reforming Mental Condition Defences..	Irish Research Council	01-SEP-19	31-AUG-22	€77,833.00
	Establishment of Irish Journal of Legal Studies	NAIRTL			€4,788.20

‍

Publications

‍

Books

	Year	Publication
	(2021)	Criminal Law in Ireland: Cases and Commentary. Liz Campbell, Shane Kilcommins, Catherine O'Sullivan & Alan Cusack (2021) Criminal Law in Ireland: Cases and Commentary. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
	(2016)	Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System. Tanya Ní Mhuirthile, Catherine O'Sullivan, Liam Thornton (2016) Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System. Dublin: Round Hall. [Details]
	(2010)	Criminal Law in Ireland: Cases and Commentary. Liz Campbell, Shane Kilcommins and Catherine O'Sullivan; (2010) Criminal Law in Ireland: Cases and Commentary. Dublin: Clarus Press.   [Details]

‍

Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2018)	'“The Gendered Corporation: The Role of Masculinities in Shaping Corporate Culture”' O'Sullivan, Catherine (2018) '“The Gendered Corporation: The Role of Masculinities in Shaping Corporate Culture”' In: Sjåfjell, Beate; Lynch Fannon, Irene (eds). Creating Corporate Sustainability. Gender as an Agent for Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2016)	'Building block or stumbling block? Teaching actus reus and mens rea in criminal law' Donson F.;O'Sullivan C. (2016) 'Building block or stumbling block? Teaching actus reus and mens rea in criminal law' In: The Teaching of Criminal Law: The pedagogical imperatives. [DOI] [Details]
	(2011)	'“Criminal Law Scholarship in Ireland: Presenting Substance, Context and Critique”' Thomas Mohr and Jennifer Schweppe (2011) '“Criminal Law Scholarship in Ireland: Presenting Substance, Context and Critique”' In: 30 Years of Legal Scholarship. Dublin: Roundhall. [Details]
	(2007)	'“Wie eine Sexualstraftäterin als Opfer dargestellt wurde: Der Fall der Mary Kay LeTourneau”' Catherine O'Sullivan (2007) '“Wie eine Sexualstraftäterin als Opfer dargestellt wurde: Der Fall der Mary Kay LeTourneau”' In: Dr. Christine Künzel and Gaby Temme (eds). Täterinnen und/oder Opfer? Frauen in Gewaltstrukturen. Hamburg: Lit Verlang. [Details]
	(2007)	'Madonna and Whore: The Perplexing Media and Legal Response to a Female Child Molester' O'Sullivan, C; (2007) 'Madonna and Whore: The Perplexing Media and Legal Response to a Female Child Molester' In: Figures of Law. Germany: Francke. [Details]

‍

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2020)	'Female Sexual Offenders and Offending' Margaret Fitzgerald-O’Reilly, Susan Leahy, Catherine O’Sullivan & Siobhan Weare (2020) 'Female Sexual Offenders and Offending'. Journal Of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 36 (4):476-479 [Details]
	(2020)	'Sexuality Education and International Standards: Insisting Upon Children’s Rights' Aoife Daly & Catherine O'Sullivan (2020) 'Sexuality Education and International Standards: Insisting Upon Children’s Rights'. Human Rights Quarterly, 42 :835-858 [Details]
	(2015)	'Mens Rea, Motive and Assisted Suicide: Does the DPP’s Policy go too far?' O' Sullivan, C. (2015) 'Mens Rea, Motive and Assisted Suicide: Does the DPP’s Policy go too far?'. Legal Studies, [Details]
	(2013)	'“Article 40.3.3 and the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: The Impetus for, and Process of, Legislative Change”' C. O'Sullivan, J. Schweppe & E. Spain (2013) '“Article 40.3.3 and the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: The Impetus for, and Process of, Legislative Change”'. Irish Journal of Legal Studies, 3 (3):1-17 [Details]
	(2014)	'The Curious Case of the High Court's Rejection and Adoption of the UK Prosecutorial Policy in Respect of Assisted Suicide: An Analysis and Critique of Fleming v Ireland' O'Sullivan, C (2014) 'The Curious Case of the High Court's Rejection and Adoption of the UK Prosecutorial Policy in Respect of Assisted Suicide: An Analysis and Critique of Fleming v Ireland'. Irish Jurist, 52 :44-67 [Details]
	(2013)	'Article 40.3.3 and the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: The Impetus for, and Process of, Legislative Change' O'Sullivan, C., Schweppe, J. & Spain, E. (2013) 'Article 40.3.3 and the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: The Impetus for, and Process of, Legislative Change'. Irish Journal of Legal Studies, 3 (3):1-17   [Details]
	(2010)	'“The Importance of Correct Statutory Interpretation Technique – The Case of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform v. Dolny”' C. O'Sullivan (2010) '“The Importance of Correct Statutory Interpretation Technique – The Case of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform v. Dolny”'. Irish Jurist, 46 [Details]
	(2009)	'Protecting Young People From Themselves: Reform of the Age of Consent Law in Ireland' O'Sullivan, C; (2009) 'Protecting Young People From Themselves: Reform of the Age of Consent Law in Ireland'. Dublin University Law Journal, 31 [Details]
	(2008)	'The Nun, the Rape Charge and the Miscarriage of Justice: the Case of Nora Wall' Dr. Catherine O'Sullivan; (2008) 'The Nun, the Rape Charge and the Miscarriage of Justice: the Case of Nora Wall'. N.I.L.Q, 59 [Details]
	(2007)	'The Burglar and the Burglarised: Self-Defence, Home-Defence and Barnes' O'Sullivan, C; (2007) 'The Burglar and the Burglarised: Self-Defence, Home-Defence and Barnes'. I.C.L.J, 17 (4) [Details]
	(2000)	'Has the Real Monster been Left off the Hook?: Karla Homolka's Femininity(ies)' O'Sullivan, C; (2000) 'Has the Real Monster been Left off the Hook?: Karla Homolka's Femininity(ies)'. Hibernian Law Journal, [Details]

‍

Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2010)	'A Critical Response to the Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2010' O' Sullivan, C. (2010) 'A Critical Response to the Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2010' Criminal Law Online Service, :70-74. [Details]

‍

Articles

	Year	Publication
	(2010)	A Critical Response to the Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2010. O'Sullivan, C (2010) A Critical Response to the Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2010. Articles [Details]

‍

Book Reviews

	Year	Publication
	(2019)	Susan Leahy and Margaret Fitzgerald O’Reilly, Sexual Offending in Ireland: Procedures and Punishment. Catherine O'Sullivan (2019) Susan Leahy and Margaret Fitzgerald O’Reilly, Sexual Offending in Ireland: Procedures and Punishment. Book Reviews [Details]
	(2017)	Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, The Politics of Judicial Selection in Ireland (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2016). Catherine O'Sullivan (2017) Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, The Politics of Judicial Selection in Ireland (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2016). Book Reviews [Details]
	(2012)	Review of - Emma Cunliffe, Murder, Medicine and Motherhood (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2011). O'Sullivan, C: (2012) Review of - Emma Cunliffe, Murder, Medicine and Motherhood (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2011). Book Reviews [Details]
	(2010)	Review of - Vicky Conway, Yvonne Daly & Jennifer Schweppe, Irish Criminal Justice: Theory, Process and Procedure. O'Sullivan, C; (2010) Review of - Vicky Conway, Yvonne Daly & Jennifer Schweppe, Irish Criminal Justice: Theory, Process and Procedure. Book Reviews [Details]

‍

Newspaper Articles

	Year	Publication
	(2010)	Hearing Voices of Battered Persons Must Be Priority. O' Sullivan, C.; Kilkelly, U. (2010) Hearing Voices of Battered Persons Must Be Priority. Newspaper Articles [Details]

‍

Newsletter

	Year	Publication
	(2021)	“Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020”, Sexual Health News. Catherine O'Sullivan (2021) “Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020”, Sexual Health News. Newsletter [Details]
	(2018)	“2017 Sexual Offences Act”, Sexual Health News. Catherine O'Sullivan (2018) “2017 Sexual Offences Act”, Sexual Health News. Newsletter [Details]
	(2014)	Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, Sexual Health News. Catherine O'Sullivan (2014) Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, Sexual Health News. Newsletter [Details]
	(2013)	Children's Referendum, Sexual Health News. Catherine O' Sullivan (2013) Children's Referendum, Sexual Health News. Newsletter [Details]

‍

Policy Contribution

	Year	Publication
	(2021)	Submission to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Various (2021) Submission to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Policy Contribution   [Details]
	(2021)	Submission regarding the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth response to the draft combined Fifth and Sixth State Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Various (2021) Submission regarding the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth response to the draft combined Fifth and Sixth State Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Policy Contribution [Details]
	(2018)	Submission in Response to “Issues Paper: Knowledge or Belief Concerning Consent in Rape Law” (LRC IP 15-2018). Catherine O'Sullivan (2018) Submission in Response to “Issues Paper: Knowledge or Belief Concerning Consent in Rape Law” (LRC IP 15-2018). UCC: Policy Contribution [Details]
	(2008)	Submission to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. Dr. Ursula Kilkelly, Dr. Conor O'Mahony, Dr. Catherine O' Sullivan; (2008) Submission to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. Postgraduate Law Conference: Policy Contribution [Details]
	(2016)	Submission to the Citizens’ Assembly on the Eighth Amendment. Catherine O'Sullivan (2016) Submission to the Citizens’ Assembly on the Eighth Amendment. UCC: Policy Contribution [Details]
	(2008)	Submission to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (CCJR). O' Sullivan, C.; O' Mahony, C.; Kilkelly, U. (2008) Submission to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (CCJR). Policy Contribution [Details]

‍

Translations

	Year	Publication
	(2007)	Wie eine Sexualstraftäterin als Opfer dargestellt wurde: Der Fall der Mary Kay LeTourneau. O'Sullivan, C (2007) Wie eine Sexualstraftäterin als Opfer dargestellt wurde: Der Fall der Mary Kay LeTourneau. Translations [Details]
	(2007)	Wie Eine Sexualstraftäterin Als Opfer Dargestellt Wurde: Der Fall Der Mary Kay LeTourneau (translated by Dr. Künzel). O'Sullivan, C; (2007) Wie Eine Sexualstraftäterin Als Opfer Dargestellt Wurde: Der Fall Der Mary Kay LeTourneau (translated by Dr. Künzel). Hamburg: Translations [Details]

‍

Unpublished work

	Year	Publication
	(1998)	Xenaphile, and Proud of It: Fireweed (Fall 1998) 42 (ISSN: 0706-3857). Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (1998) Xenaphile, and Proud of It: Fireweed (Fall 1998) 42 (ISSN: 0706-3857). Unpublished work [Details]

‍

Professional Activities

‍

Honours and Awards

	Year	Title	Awarding Body
	2006	President’s Ph.D. Scholarship
	1998	Mary Jane Mossman Graduate Scholarship in Feminist Legal Studies	Osgoode Hall Law School

‍

Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Socio-Legal Scholars Association	Member	/
	Irish Women Lawyers Association	Committee	/
	Society of Legal Scholars	Member	/
	Irish Association of Law Teachers	University Representative	/

‍

Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2019)	International Knowledge Exchange Seminar on WISEs in the Criminal Justice System - Opportunities and Challenges - An exchange of knowledge and ideas, Swirak K., O’Sullivan C. and Donson, F. (2019) WISEs and the Irish Criminal Justice System: Posing questions for future directions. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Knowledge Exchange Seminar on WISEs in the Criminal Justice System - Opportunities and Challenges - An exchange of knowledge and ideas, Cork Business School . [Details]
	(2014)	Irish Association of Law Teachers, O'Sullivan, C (2014) The Wolf of Wall Street: The Representation of White Collar Crime and Masculinity in the Movies. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association of Law Teachers, Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny . [Details]
	(2014)	Criminal Law Pedagogy Workshop, O'Sullivan, C & Donson, F (2014) Threshold or barrier to understanding? Teaching actus reus and mens rea as foundational concepts in criminal law. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Criminal Law Pedagogy Workshop, University of Limerick . [Details]
	(2014)	Visualing Law and Gender, Centre for Law and Culture, O'Sullivan, C (2014) The Wolf of Wall Street: The Representation of White Collar Crime and Masculinity in the Movies. [Oral Presentation], Visualing Law and Gender, Centre for Law and Culture, St Mary’s Univeristy, London . [Details]
	(2013)	North-South Criminology Conference, O'Sullivan, C (2013) Conference Organiser. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], North-South Criminology Conference, University College Cork . [Details]
	(2013)	Socio-Legal Studies Association, O'Sullivan, C (2013) Motive through the back door?: Purdy and the DPP’s Prosecutorial Policy. [Oral Presentation], Socio-Legal Studies Association, York University, England . [Details]
	(2011)	Irish Association of Law Teachers, C. O'Sullivan and F. Donson (2011) “Threshold or Barrier to Understanding? Teaching Actus Reus and Mens Rea as Foundational Concepts in Criminal Law. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association of Law Teachers, Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone , 19-NOV-11 - 19-NOV-11. [Details]
	(2008)	Youth Justice Conference, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2008) Youth Justice Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Youth Justice Conference, UCC , 03-APR-08 - 03-APR-08. [Details]
	(2006)	Adolescents and Consensual Sexual Relationships: The Law in Ireland, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2006) Adolescents and Consensual Sexual Relationships: The Law in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Adolescents and Consensual Sexual Relationships: The Law in Ireland, , 24-MAY-06 - 24-MAY-06. [Details]
	(2008)	Postgraduate Law Conference, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2008) Postgraduate Law Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Postgraduate Law Conference, UCC , 01-MAY-08 - 01-MAY-08. [Details]
	(2007)	Postgraduate Law Conference , Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2007) Postgraduate Law Conference . [Conference Organising Committee Member], Postgraduate Law Conference , UCC , 03-MAY-07 - 03-MAY-07. [Details]
	(2007)	Society of Legal Scholars, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2007) Teenagers, Sex and the Law: The Regulation of Teenage Sexuality. [Poster Presentation], Society of Legal Scholars, University of Durham , 12-SEP-07 - 12-SEP-07. [Details]
	(2006)	National Council for Nurses and Midwifery, Rochestown Park Hotel, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2006) The Age of Consent for Sexual Activity and for Medical Treatment: The Law in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], National Council for Nurses and Midwifery, Rochestown Park Hotel, Rochestown Park Hotel , 09-SEP-06 - 09-SEP-06. [Details]
	(2006)	Law and Literature Association of Australia, University of Melbourne, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2006) The Nun, the Rape Charge, and the Miscarriage of Justice: The Case of Nora Wall. [Poster Presentation], Law and Literature Association of Australia, University of Melbourne, University of Melbourne , 13-JUL-06 - 13-JUL-06. [Details]
	(2005)	Figures of Law Conference, U.C.C, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2005) Madonna and Whore: The Perplexing Media and Legal Response to a Female Child Molester. [Poster Presentation], Figures of Law Conference, U.C.C, Figures of Law Conference, U.C.C , 11-JUN-05 - 11-JUN-05. [Details]
	(2000)	Osgoode Hall Law School Graduate Students' Conference;, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (2000) Women in Black and White: Popular Culture Representations of Violent Women. [Poster Presentation], Osgoode Hall Law School Graduate Students' Conference;, U.B.C. Faculty of Law Graduate Students' Conference , 04-MAY-00 - 11-MAY-00. [Details]
	(1999)	Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities/Canadian Law and Society Association, Faculty of Law, University of Sherbrooke, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (1999) Representing Women: The Intersections of Law and Popular Culture. [Poster Presentation], Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities/Canadian Law and Society Association, Faculty of Law, University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Law, University of Sherbrooke , 08-JUN-99 - 08-JUN-99. [Details]
	(1998)	Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities/Canadian Law and Society Association, Faculty of Law,, Dr. Catherine O Sullivan; (1998) Karla Homolka: Law, Culture, and Sexuality. [Poster Presentation], Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities/Canadian Law and Society Association, Faculty of Law,, University of Ottawa , 01-JUN-98 - 01-JUN-98. [Details]

‍

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	College of Business and Law Learning and Teaching Committee	Chair	/
	AC Teaching and Learning Committee	Member	/
	Academic Council	Member	2012 /
	University Exams Appeals Committee	Member	2011 /
	Research Committee	Member	2011 /
	Quality Review Committee		/
	Skills Committee, Law Department	Chair	1999 / 1999
	Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, Law Department	Member	1999 / 1999

‍

Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	Law, Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights	College Lecturer	01-SEP-03 /
	Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada	Legal Writing Instructor	01-JAN-98 / 01-JAN-01
	Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada	Research Assistant	01-MAY-01 / 01-AUG-01
	Research Assistant	Research Assistant	01-MAY-00 / 01-AUG-00

‍

Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	1995	U.C.C.	BCL - UCC	BCL
	1996	UCC	LLM	LLM
	1996	Institute de Droit Comparé, Université Jean Moulin III, Lyon, France	DIPLOMA	Diplôme d¿Introduction au Droit Français pour Etudiants Etrangers
	2005	Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada	PHD	*

‍

Consultancy

	Client	Description
	Merchants Quay Ireland/University College Dublin	MQI/UCD run a training course for drugs counsellors.  I provide information on relevant aspects of the Criminal Law.
	HSE	Initially I gave bi-annual talks on various aspects of the Criminal Law on a training programme run by the HSE Health Promotion Office. More recently my role is in overseeing legal information provided to participants and contributing to Sexual Health Matters.
	Law Reform Commission	Discussion with researcher from Law Reform Commission regarding my response to their Consultation Paper on Self-Defence (ICLJ article)

‍

Outreach Activities

Description

Talks on various aspects of the criminal law to the National Council for Nurses and Midwifery, the H.S.E. Foundation Programme in Sexual Health Promotion, the MQI/UCD Certificate in Drugs Counselling Theory & Intervention. I have also contributed articles to the H.S.E. periodical Sexual Health News. Organised Conferences and Annual Lectures in my capacity as Co-Director for the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR) from November 2010-February 2013. Contributed to public debate on various Criminal Law and Criminology issues by means of newspaper articles, radio and TV interviews. Met with representatives from Cork Prison regarding the provision of legal education to prisoners. Co-authored a submission to the All Party Oireachtas Committee on a Constitutional Amendment on the Rights of the Child (31 January 2008).

‍

Other Activities

	Description
	Member of editorial board for the now-defunct Irish Journal of Legal Studies www.ijls.ie
	Member of editorial board for the Hibernian Law Journal.
	Research Project: The Operation of the Court System in Domestic Violence Cases: A Literature Review, COSC (2009) (with Dr. U. Kilkelly)
	Various editorials as part of the Editorial Board for the Criminal Law Online Service, 2008-2012.
	One of the co-founders of the MA in Criminology, an interdisciplinary taught masters degree, in UCC. The three founding disciplines were Law, Sociology, and Applied Social Studies. I was also involved in the establishment of the BA Criminology, first intake of students 2014-15.

‍

Teaching Activities

‍

Current Postgraduate Students

	Student	Degree Type
	Noonan Michael Luke Harris	Doctoral Degree