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Mr Diarmuid Griffin

LLM, BCL

Contact Details

Lecturer Above The Bar
E: diarmuid.griffin@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Diarmuid Griffin completed his PhD in 2014 at the UCD Institute of Criminology.  He also holds a LL.M. degree in Criminal Justice and a BCL degree from University College Cork as well as a teaching qualification from NUI Galway.  His research has been published in journals such as the British Journal of Criminology and Irish Jurist and he has attracted research funding through the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Royal Irish Academy and the Millennium Fund.  He recently published a monograph with Springer/Palgrave Macmillan titled 'Killing Time: Life Imprisonment and Parole in Ireland'.  

Diarmuid's research has impacted on academic and public discourse as well as contributing to public policy.  In 2019 he was awarded the NUIG President's Award for Societal Impact. His research has been cited in numerous international peer-reviewed publications (Law and Social Inquiry; Youth Justice; Public Health) and has been subject to national debate through newspaper articles and radio programmes.  In 2020, he was appointed to the Sentencing Information and Guidelines Committee. He has contributed to public policy through his role as a consultant and legal expert for FRALEX (advising the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights), the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and Transparency International.  Diarmuid has held visiting scholarships at the University of California, Berkeley and New York University and the University of Toronto.  He has lectured at San Quentin State Prison, as part of the Prison University Project and has provided workshops to life sentence prisoners in Ireland on navigating the parole process. Diarmuid is the Programme Director of the Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice programme. 

Research Interests

Current research interests include: 
  • Criminology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Sentencing and Punishment
  • Life Sentence Prisoners
  • Risk and Criminal Justice. 

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2023) 'Unnesting the Matryoshka Doll: An Ecological Model of Probation and Parole Decision-Making in Ireland'
Healy, D and Griffin, D. (2023) 'Unnesting the Matryoshka Doll: An Ecological Model of Probation and Parole Decision-Making in Ireland'. Journal Of Criminal Law & Criminology, 39 (1):75-93 [Details]
(2020) 'Life imprisonment and the Parole Act 2019: Assessing the impact of legislative reform'
Griffin, D. (2020) 'Life imprisonment and the Parole Act 2019: Assessing the impact of legislative reform'. Irish Judicial Studies Journal, 4 (1):25-44 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2019) 'The pains of parole for life sentence prisoners in Ireland: Risk, rehabilitation and re-entry'
Griffin, D,Healy, D (2019) 'The pains of parole for life sentence prisoners in Ireland: Risk, rehabilitation and re-entry'. European Journal Of Probation, 11 :124-138 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'The Release and Recall of Life Sentence Prisoners: Policy, Practice and Politics'
Griffin, D. (2015) 'The Release and Recall of Life Sentence Prisoners: Policy, Practice and Politics'. Irish Jurist, 53 :1-35 [Details]
(2012) 'The Life Sentence and Parole'
Griffin, D. and O'Donnell, I. (2012) 'The Life Sentence and Parole'. British Journal Of Criminology, 52 (3):611-629 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Firearm assisted suicide: Legislative, policing and clinical concerns'
Sarma, K, Griffin, D. and Kola, S. (2010) 'Firearm assisted suicide: Legislative, policing and clinical concerns'. Journal Of Forensic And Legal Medicine, 17 (1):33-37 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'The Irish briber abroad: the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions'
Griffin, D (2007) 'The Irish briber abroad: the bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions'. Commercial Law Practitioner, 14 (6):115-125 [Details]
(2006) 'Response to Kieran O’Dwyer’s article on restorative justice'
Griffin,D. (2006) 'Response to Kieran O’Dwyer’s article on restorative justice'. Irish Criminal Law Journal, 16 (2):16-18 [Details]
(2005) 'Restorative justice: A real alternative?'
Griffin, D. (2005) 'Restorative justice: A real alternative?'. Irish Criminal Law Journal, 15 (2):2-12 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2018) Killing Time: Life Imprisonment and Parole in Ireland.
Griffin, D. (2018) Killing Time: Life Imprisonment and Parole in Ireland. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2021) '‘The Ultimate Sacrifice: Irish Police Killed in the Line of Duty, 1922-2019’'
Doyle, D.M., Griffin, D., O’Callaghan, L., Murphy, M. (2021) '‘The Ultimate Sacrifice: Irish Police Killed in the Line of Duty, 1922-2019’' In: Perspectives from the Periphery: Histories of Punishment in Ireland. :187-286 Bringley: Emerald Publishing. [Details]
(2016) 'Confusingly Compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights: The Life Sentence in Ireland'
Griffin, D. and O'Donnell, I. (2016) 'Confusingly Compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights: The Life Sentence in Ireland' In: Life Imprisonment and Human Rights. :267-289 Oxford: Hart. [Details]
(2007) 'Restorative Justice, Diversion and Social Control: Potential Problems'
Griffin, D. (2007) 'Restorative Justice, Diversion and Social Control: Potential Problems' In: Young People and Crime. :121-132 Dublin: Centre for Social and Educational Research. [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2018) Parole Bill 2016.
Griffin, D. and Malone, D. (2018) Parole Bill 2016. IPRT, Dublin. [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions - Ireland.
O Connell, D., Kenna, P., Griffin, D. & Talbot. D. (2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions - Ireland. FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on Impact of Race Equality Directive - Ireland.
O’Connell, Griffin, Kenna & Crowley (2009) Thematic Legal Study on Impact of Race Equality Directive - Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights – Ireland.
O’Connell, Griffin, Kenna & O’Mahony (2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights – Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Rights of Irregular Immigrants in Voluntary and Involuntary Return Procedures – Ireland.
O’Connell, Griffin, Kenna & Dewhurst (2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Rights of Irregular Immigrants in Voluntary and Involuntary Return Procedures – Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2008) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions – Ireland.
O’Connell, Griffin, Kenna & Talbot (2008) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions – Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2008) Thematic Study on Child Trafficking – Ireland.
O’Connell, Griffin, Kenna & Crowe (2008) Thematic Study on Child Trafficking – Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]
(2008) Thematic Legal Study on Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation – Ireland.
O'Connell, Griffin and Kenna (2008) Thematic Legal Study on Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation – Ireland. EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, Vienna. [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2004) 'The juvenile conundrum–Ireland’s responses to youth offending'
Griffin, D. (2004) 'The juvenile conundrum–Ireland’s responses to youth offending' Cork Online Law Review, 3 :207-217. [Details]
(2018) 'Victim input and parole'
Griffin, D. (2018) 'Victim input and parole' Law Society Gazette, :30-31. [Details]
(2008) 'New crime provisions not a panacea'
Griffin, D (2008) 'New crime provisions not a panacea' Law Society Gazette, :17-18. [Details]
(2008) 'Prisons Act 2007'
Griffin, D (2008) 'Prisons Act 2007' Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated, :1-48. [Details]
(2007) 'Will the Ombudsman build confidence in the Gardaí?'
Griffin, D. (2007) 'Will the Ombudsman build confidence in the Gardaí?' Law Society Gazette, 101 (5) :13-15. [Details]
(2007) 'Tinkering with due process values: the Criminal Justice Bill 2007'
Griffin, D (2007) 'Tinkering with due process values: the Criminal Justice Bill 2007' Law Society Gazette, :15-17. [Details]
(2005) 'Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005'
Griffin, D (2005) 'Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005' Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated, :1-15. [Details]

Newspaper Articles

  Year Publication
(2018) Calling time on life sentences as a default.
Griffin, D. (2018) Calling time on life sentences as a default. Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2015) ‘Graham Dwyer sentencing: The judge has no discretion in imposing life’.
Griffin, D. (2015) ‘Graham Dwyer sentencing: The judge has no discretion in imposing life’. Irish Times: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2014) ‘Why does ‘life’ mean much longer in prison?’.
Griffin, D. (2014) ‘Why does ‘life’ mean much longer in prison?’. Irish Times: Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2013) Reinvigorating the Case Method by Giving Students Ownership Irish Times (13 May 2013), 7.
McGrath, J. and Griffin, D. (2013) Reinvigorating the Case Method by Giving Students Ownership Irish Times (13 May 2013), 7. Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2007) Some offenders can be dealt with outside prison system.
Griffin (2007) Some offenders can be dealt with outside prison system. Irish Times Newspaper Articles [Details]
(2006) Nally verdict should not detract from importance of jury trials.
Griffin (2006) Nally verdict should not detract from importance of jury trials. The Western People Newspaper Articles [Details]

Invited Seminars

  Year Publication
(2019) Reforming the parole process.
Griffin, D. (2019) Reforming the parole process. Invited Seminars [Details]
(2015) ‘Age, gender and sexual offences: Examining the transition from unlawful carnal knowledge to defilement of a child’.
Griffin, D. (2015) ‘Age, gender and sexual offences: Examining the transition from unlawful carnal knowledge to defilement of a child’. American Conference for Irish Studies, Fort Lauderdale: Invited Seminars [Details]
(2009) “Restorative Justice: the case for measured scepticism,”. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Justice conference on alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice.
Griffin, D. (2009) “Restorative Justice: the case for measured scepticism,”. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Justice conference on alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Invited Seminars [Details]
(2009) Parole developments in the United States and United Kingdom. Prison Law Seminar – The Parole Process, hosted by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Irish Criminal Bar Association and the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association.
Griffin, D. (2009) Parole developments in the United States and United Kingdom. Prison Law Seminar – The Parole Process, hosted by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Irish Criminal Bar Association and the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association. Invited Seminars [Details]
(2006) “Critical Issues in Restorative Justice,”. Law Reform Commission Law Reform Commission, Ireland.
Griffin, D. (2006) “Critical Issues in Restorative Justice,”. Law Reform Commission Law Reform Commission, Ireland. Invited Seminars [Details]

Blog

  Year Publication
(2010) Griffin on the final report of the National Commission on Restorative Justice.
Griffin, D. (2010) Griffin on the final report of the National Commission on Restorative Justice. Blog [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2018) European Society of Criminology,
Griffin, D. (2018) Killing Time: Life imprisonment and parole in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], European Society of Criminology, Sarajevo , 07-SEP-18 - 09-SEP-18. [Details]
(2015) American Conference for Irish Studies,
Griffin, D. and McGrath, J. (2015) ‘Gender, Pregnancy and the Age of Consent: The Irish Experience in Historical Perspective’. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], American Conference for Irish Studies, Fort Lauderdale , 25-MAR-15 - 28-MAR-15. [Details]
(2015) Stockholm Criminology Symposium,
Griffin, D. (2015) The Politics of Parole: Discretion and the Life Sentence Prisoner. [Oral Presentation], Stockholm Criminology Symposium, Stockholm , 01-MAY-15 - 04-MAY-15. [Details]
(2015) Human rights and life imprisonment,
Griffin, D. and O'Donnell, I. (2015) ‘The politics of intolerance: The life sentence in Ireland’. [Invited Oral Presentation], Human rights and life imprisonment, Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law, Bilbao , 01-MAY-15 - 03-MAY-15. [Details]
(2014) The Workshop on Legal Pedagogy and Transition,
Griffin, D. (2014) ‘Technology and education in the 21st century: Challenges and opportunities’. [Invited Oral Presentation], The Workshop on Legal Pedagogy and Transition, University of Limerick , 30-APR-14 - 30-APR-14. [Details]
(2012) 8th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology,
Griffin, D. (2012) “Parole in Ireland: Origins, developments and prospects for the 21st century,”. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 8th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Edinburgh , 01-SEP-12. [Details]
(2011) European Society of Criminology,
Griffin (2011) Resisting punitiveness, resisting Europe: The case of the life-sentence prisoner in Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], European Society of Criminology, Vilnius , 01-SEP-11 - 04-SEP-11. [Details]
(2010) Examining decision-making in the Irish parole process,
Griffin (2010) Examining decision-making in the Irish parole process. [Oral Presentation], Examining decision-making in the Irish parole process, University of Cambridge , 01-MAR-10 - 02-MAR-10. [Details]
(2008) The 8th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology,
Griffin, D. (2008) Parole in Ireland: Origins, developments and prospects for the 21st century. [Oral Presentation], The 8th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Edinburgh , 01-SEP-08 - 04-SEP-08. [Details]
(2007) The National Conference on Young People and Crime: Research, Policy and Practice,
Griffin, D. (2007) Restorative Justice, Diversion and Social Control. [Conference Paper], The National Conference on Young People and Crime: Research, Policy and Practice, Dublin , 01-SEP-07. [Details]
(2006) Huston School of Film and Digital Media, Alternatives to prison: Pushing for policy change,
Griffin, D. (2006) Restorative justice: A real alternative?. [Conference Paper], Huston School of Film and Digital Media, Alternatives to prison: Pushing for policy change, NUI Galway , 01-MAY-06. [Details]
(2006) The Stockholm Criminology Symposium hosted by the International Society of Criminology and the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention,
Griffin, D. (2006) “The Impact of Restorative Justice on the Stakeholders in the Criminal Process in Ireland”. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], The Stockholm Criminology Symposium hosted by the International Society of Criminology and the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, Stockholm , 05-JUN-06. [Details]
(2005) The Fifth Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Challenges for European Integration, Challenges for Criminology,
Griffin, D. (2005) Hitting Criminals in their Pockets: Lessons for Europe on the Irish Experience of Civil Forfeiture. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], The Fifth Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Challenges for European Integration, Challenges for Criminology, Cracow , 01-SEP-05. [Details]
(2005) The Stockholm Criminology Symposium hosted by the International Society of Criminology and the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, Recognising Knowledge to Reduce Crime and Injustice,
Griffin, D. (2005) The Impact of Restorative Justice on the Stakeholders in the Criminal Process in Ireland. [Conference Paper], The Stockholm Criminology Symposium hosted by the International Society of Criminology and the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, Recognising Knowledge to Reduce Crime and Injustice, Stockholm , 01-MAY-05. [Details]
(2005) The Fifth Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology,
Griffin, D. (2005) Hitting Criminals in their Pockets: Lessons for Europe on the Irish Experience of Civil Forfeiture. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], The Fifth Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Cracow , 01-SEP-05. [Details]

Media

  Year Publication
(2019) Why does Ireland have so many prisoners serving life sentences?.
Griffin, D. (2019) Why does Ireland have so many prisoners serving life sentences?. Media [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2012) The new ‘ultimate penalty’: The increase in use of the life sentence.
Griffin (2012) The new ‘ultimate penalty’: The increase in use of the life sentence. Conference Paper [Details]

Report

  Year Publication
(2008) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland.
Griffin, D. (2008) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland. Report [Details]
(2007) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland.
Griffin, D. (2007) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland. Report [Details]
(2006) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland.
Griffin, D. (2006) Annual progress report on the Enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Ireland. Report [Details]

Teaching Interests


Current teaching duties includes:

  • Criminal Law
  • Criminology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Crime and Disorder
  • Advance Criminology.