Trianee solicitors at Ireland’s top law college were warned their careers were at risk after it was revealed that inappropriate messages about female students were being exchanged in Whatsapp groups.
It was alleged that a Whatsapp group called ‘T*ts and Filth’ was created by a number of students and was used to rate women studying at the Law Society of Ireland’s Blackhall Place campus in Dublin 7.
In an email to students seen by Dublin Live, the Director of Education T P Kennedy said: “It has been brought to the attention of the Law School staff that a group of students has been posting inappropriate content relating to female students in messaging groups.”
The email which was sent out on Wednesday revealed that the messages caused “deep distress to many students”, the content was “highly offensive” and “gives rise to profound ethical concerns”.
It added that several students had given them information on the groups which the college are investigating.
Mr Kennedy warned: “This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and has no place on a professional training course.
“Trainees are subject to the same rules and regulations as practising solicitors regarding ethical behaviour.
“Posting inappropriate content may have the effect of bringing the profession into disrepute and consequently may raise concerns as to whether any trainee involved in generating or circulating such content might be a ‘fit and proper person to be admitted as a solicitor’.”
Students were warned that by sending such content they had also violated the college’s internet usage guidelines.
The email went on to reveal that the college have now blocked certain messaging apps from their Wi-Fi network from today.
And Mr Kennedy added that arising from the “serious incident”, appropriate additional training will be provided to students studying at Blackhall.
A spokeswoman for The Law Society of Ireland said: “The Law Society is appalled to learn that inappropriate comments may have been posted on a private messaging group by a small group of students. The Law Society has taken immediate action to thoroughly investigate the circumstances and seek to establish all the facts.
“The Law Society takes these allegations extremely seriously and, if they are proven to be true, disciplinary action will be taken.
“We have taken immediate action by reminding students of their responsibilities and ethical obligations. The Law School’s counselling service is providing additional supports and services to students in light of this incident. In addition, we have suspended access to private messaging groups in the Law School.”
In a subsequent statement she added: “We can confirm that none of the allegations relate to images or photos of any kind.”
