Eilís Ní Chaoimh

Eilís Ní Chaoimh is a Hardiman Scholar and PhD candidate at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy. Their research explores mechanisms for accommodating neurodiversity in doctrines of mens rea. Eilís holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and French) from University College Cork and a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford.

Eilís' thesis title is "Divergent Bodyminds: Accommodating Neurodiversity in the Mens Rea of Intention." Their thesis is a theoretical study on accommodating neurodiversity in the mens rea of intention in Irish criminal law. It develops an understanding of neurodiversity as worldview, identity and social movement; evaluates Irish criminal law's treatment of neurodivergent defendants; and proposes and tests reforms to the mens rea of intention.

Before commencing their research at the CDLP, Eilís was a Third Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs, working on issues relating to Brexit and Northern Ireland, as well as at the Irish Consulate in Atlanta, USA. 

Eilís' research interests include neurodiversity, disability law and policy and criminal justice. Their interdisciplinary research combines doctrinal and qualitative socio-legal methods, rooted in international human rights law, to advance the rights of disabled people. 

Eilís' work focuses on the following themes:

1. Neurodiversity: What it means and its implications for law and policy.
2. Disability and Criminal Justice: Informed by neurodiversity and the CRPD, Eilís' research critically engages with established criminal law principles, such as the insanity and diminished responsibility defences.
3. Reforming Mental Health Law: Eilís' research critically engages with existing and proposed mental health law, advocating for reforms aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the principles of neurodiversity.

As a law teacher, Eilís aims to

1. Equip students with the necessary understanding of the law in an accessible manner;
2. Creatively engage with students to develop critical thinking and associated skills;
3. Ensure that students know the real-world implications of law and legal theory.

They have taught an introduction to the Irish legal system and Labour Law. They have provided tutorial support for undergraduate mooting and criminal law. Additionally, they have delivered guest lectures on the Implications of Neurodiversity for Mental Health Law and Policy and Abolition and Disability Justice for the LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy.