A DONEGAL student has been bestowed with a merit award in the Law Society of Ireland’s national essay competition. Honor Geary from Loreto Community School, Milford, won the award in the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition 2025.
The Law Society of Ireland has named Kerry Transition Year (TY) student Hazel Barrett from Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, as the winner. The event was held on Wednesday, May 14.
Now in its third year, the annual competition invites Transition Year (TY) students from across the country to submit a 1,500-word legal essay on a specific topic. This year, over 350 essays were submitted by students from 52 schools across 16 counties, each exploring the topic,’The role the law can play in addressing Hate Crime.’
The competition aims to inspire young peoples’ legal learning by encouraging students from a wide range of backgrounds to consider contemporary justice issues.
President of the Law Society, Eamon Harrington, said: “This year’s topic challenged students to explore how our laws respond to hatred and discrimination in society. Their essays demonstrated an understanding of the role that legislation can play in protecting marginalised groups and promoting inclusion for all in society.
“Through the competition students are encouraged to research, reflect and critically apply their learning to this complex legal issue. The judges were impressed with the breadth of ideas and considered arguments put forward by students. The Law Society remains committed to widening early access to legal education for young people from all backgrounds. Congratulations to all students who entered, and in particular to this year’s finalists and winners. We hope many of them will continue their legal education, continue to ask questions and consider a future career in law.”
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)