DCU win The Irish Times Debate Final
2 March 2004

Michael Moriarty and Ian Kehoe

The final of The Irish Times debate series was won on Thursday 27 February 2004 by the DCU debating team members, which was represented by members Michael Moriarty and Ian Kehoe. This was the second time that DCU hosted the annual debate and the first time that the event was held in the Mahony Hall.

Ian and Michael successfully opposed the motion 'This House Regrets the Restrictions on the Media's Freedom of Speech' which was hosted by broadcaster David McWilliams.

Ken Griffin, Auditor of the DCU Debating Team, said, "We are delighted with Ian and Michael's achievement. It is also a great reward for everyone involved in organising the event for the society. So far this year, we have won the Times Final and Ian has as an individual representing DCU won the prestigious Kingsmill-Moore invitational at Trinity and the UL invitational along with Brendan Kelly from Kings Inns."

Gerry Smyth, Managing Editor at The Irish Times, thanked all those involved in the organising of the event and Cian Ferriter, Chairman of the judging panel and holder of the 1992 individual title of the series, who presented the award said all members of the judging panel were impressed with the standard of the debate.

Ken Griffin hopes this award will be a breakthrough for the DCU Debating Team who have become gradually more competitive over the years, winning their first external competition last year when Ian won the individual award at Trinity.

UCD Law Society won second in the team category and Paul Brady from King's Inn won the individual award in the debate.