The Gazette 1992

APRIL 1992

applicant's oral and written skills in that language. From memory, I recall that both examinations were very similiar as to content and difficulty. I think it is both a waste of time and money especially on the applicant's behalf, to have to sit almost two identical examinations. It is very well known, that the failure rate is very, very low. The threshold of both written and oral skills required does not seem to be very high. Therefore, it would seem a farce that these examinations are seen as a measurement of an applicant's ability. In fact it makes a mockery of the whole system. either on the Professional or Advanced Course (or both) where students are taught a basic legal vocabulary in Irish. I am sure a student would rather learn the Irish for District Court, instalment order, consent, adjournment, conveyance, contract, etc., rather than for a currach being rowed over rough seas off the Kerry coast! b) Rather than have two (almost identical) examinations, I would suggest that a day be set aside It would, therefore, seem to me that the purpose of the Irish examinations is self-defeating and has now been rendered meaningless. However, I would not see any objection to the proposal as outlined above. Finally, in case any reader would think that this is an anti-Irish letter, I am a fluent speaker and this letter has been written in an attempt to defend the abuse of our native language.

Croatia Appeal President, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place

mentioned purpose. A special bank account has been opened at the Bank of Zagreb. Contributions can be sent to: The Bank of Zagreb. Foreign Currency Account Number: 30101-620-16-012101/2421717793 Croatian Lawyers Trust.

Dear Colleague,

We are deeply grateful that you responded to our appeal of 30.8.1991 and expressed your solidarity and support with the Croatian people in this bloody and dramatic struggle for freedom. The Republic of Croatia has been an internationally recognised State since 15 January, 1992. We cannot thank you enough for your contribution to the realization of the centuries-old dream of the Croatian nation and Unfortunately, Croatia has had to pay very dearly for its freedom: tens of thousands dead and wounded, hundreds of thousands dislocated, cities destroyed, levelled and more than 1/3 of Croatian farms However, I want, in particular, to inform you about the huge damage suffered by Croatian lawyers in this barbaric war against Croatia. The war has struck around forty cities since June, 1991. We mention only some of these: Osijek, Vinkovci, Vukovar, Ilok, Karlovac, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Zadar. Since this time, lawyers in these towns and regions have been unable to work. They are left without any kind of income. Some have been killed or wounded and many of them have seen their homes, apartments and offices destroyed. We are speaking of about 400 lawyers and law clerks which is 1/3 of all lawyers in the Republic. Croatian lawyers through your action, support and influence. destroyed . . . You most likely have already received information about this. j

The Croatian Bar Association is supervising the entire action.

Your inclusion in this action would not mean only material help but more support to the Croatian Bar Association in its battle to establish a legal state in our homeland after this terrible war.

We thank you and express our sincere and friendly greetings!

Mario Kos President Croatian Bar Association 41000 Zagreb, Zrinjevac 15/11 Croatia.

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The Croatian Bar Association has begun an action to help our colleagues and in this aim, we have founded the Croatian Lawyers Trust to collect and distribute aid. We are therefore appealing to you and asking your bar associations and

Yours etc.,

Feargal O'Dulaing Solicitor í Roslevan, Ennis, Co. Clare.

members to join in this action of i collecting money for the above-

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