From classroom to courtroom: MU Whistleblowing Law and Practice students volunteering at the Myers Moot Court Competition
8 April 2026
Abigail Mutuaya, Philile Dladla, Tyler O’Sullivan, and Valentine Bessiere volunteered at the Myers Moot Court Competition. They are final year LLB Students, undertaking the Whistleblowing Law and Practice module at Maynooth University.
On 28 February 2026, we had the opportunity to volunteer at the inaugural Myers Moot Court Competition, the first moot court dedicated to EU whistleblowing law, organized by the European Whistleblowing Institute and held at the Four Courts in Dublin. The competition paid tribute to Anna Myers and brought together law students from different countries such as Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland providing a valuable opportunity to observe advocacy in a courtroom setting before a simulated Court of Justice of the European Union.
As volunteers we assisted with various tasks such as timekeeping, organising the setup for court proceedings, greeting attendees at the reception and helping people locate their seats. Our primary responsibility was to monitor the time allocated to each speaker, which gave us a close view of the arguments being presented and the structure of the competition. It was fascinating to observe how each team prepared and organized their submissions, and how they responded to challenging questions from the judges.
The arguments in the case helped us to appreciate that the EU Whistleblowing Directive, which was central to the dispute, extends protection not only to the reporting person but also to third parties connected to them who may suffer retaliation or penalization as a result of the whistleblowing. This illustrates that retaliation linked to whistleblowing can affect not only whistleblowers themselves but also individuals closely connected to them.
Another key legal point discussed during the Myers Moot Court Competition was whether internal reporting procedures should be exhausted before external protection can be sought. Observing this debate enhanced our understanding of the practical challenges whistleblowers face and the careful balance courts must strike when assessing protections.
A highlight of the day was having the opportunity to speak with Anna Myers, whom the competition paid tribute to. Anna spoke to us about her experiences within the field offering a unique opportunity to connect with professionals within the industry, while gaining insight from her expertise.
Despite the busy schedule, we still had the opportunity to speak with both participants and judges. It was really enjoyable to connect with like-minded people and those we aspire to become. We were also delighted to meet Supreme Court’s Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, who judged the final of the competition. This was a particularly meaningful moment for us as law students, having studied his work extensively.
The enthusiasm shown by the participants was remarkable and contributed to the vibrant and engaging atmosphere of the day. Observing the competition reinforced how vital whistleblowing protections are, not only in safeguarding those who speak out but also in promoting transparency and accountability within institutions. It was an inspiring experience that strengthened our interest in this evolving and important area of law.
