A Year in Review 2025: Student Highlights

15 Dec 2025

As we bid farewell to another year, we reflect on some of 2025’s highlights at the UCC School of Law.  

In this part, we look back on key student achievements from the year. 

Students compete for James D Donegan Memorial Prize at Annual UCC School of Law Gala Moot

This year’s Gala Moot competition was held on Wednesday 19^th March in Cork City Courthouse on Washington Street. Four students from the UCC School of Law participated in this year’s Gala Moot incorporating the James D Donegan Memorial Prize. Read more here.

24th Edition of the Cork Online Law Review Launched

The 24^th Edition of the Cork Online Law Review was officially launched by The Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello, President of the Court of the Appeal, on Wednesday 26^th March. The Cork Online Law Review (COLR) is a student-led, non-profit Law Review which provides an opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate students, lawyers, academics and doctorate students worldwide to have their work published. The edition is available on the COLR website.

UCC Law students’ success in Irish Red Cross International Humanitarian Law competition 31st March 2025

Two teams of UCC law students took part in the annual Irish Red Cross Corn Adomnáin competition this weekend at Queen’s University Belfast. The competition tests the students’ knowledge and application of the laws of war in a variety of challenging real-life scenarios, such as negotiating humanitarian access to civilian populations in need, access to detained prisoners of war and making real-time operational decisions in a video simulation of an armed attack. Read more here.

Law Society Model European Union Awarded the National Winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2025

The UCC Law Society Model European Union, held in February 2024 at UCC has been awarded the National Winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2025. This prize is awarded jointly by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen to highlight projects by young people that strengthen democracy and support active participation. Alex Sheehan, the Lead Organiser of the Model EU and Debating Convenor of the 94th session of the Law Society will travel to Aachen, Germany in May to receive the award.

Students awarded at College of Business & Law Awards

The College of Business & Law held the annual Scholarship and Prizes 2025 Ceremony in May. We would like to congratulate all winners and wish them every success in the future! Many thanks to our generous sponsors, partners and donors for their continuous support.

PhD Student Success

No fewer than 5 PhD students successfully defended their Theses, with further detail noted in Research Highlights.

Mutatio Factorem

The Mutatio Factorem Award, meaning ‘Change Maker,’ is awarded by the UCC Law Society to individuals who have made a significant impact in their field and serve as a source of inspiration for young people everywhere.

The award recognises true changemakers—those who do not simply witness injustice but dedicate themselves to challenging and dismantling it.

Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, Senior Barrister specialising in Human Rights Law

At the ‘Women in Law Forum’, held in March, the 95th session of the UCC Law Society presented Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC with the Mutatio Factorem Award. Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, a senior barrister specialising in human rights law, was recognised for her exceptional career and unwavering commitment to justice. In her keynote address at the forum, Blinne emphasised that resilience is not about simply accepting the status quo but about recognising injustice and taking action to challenge it.  Her work in international law, including representing South Africa at the International Court of Justice and advocating for victims of state violence, reflects this philosophy.

Carmel O’Donoghue, Auditor, UCC Law Society, said: ‘‘Through her career, Blinne has shown us that resilience means looking beyond the surface of injustice and taking bold steps toward meaningful change—an approach that has defined her legal career and advocacy for human rights. This award recognises not only her significant contributions to the field but also the inspiring example she has set for future generations of legal professionals and advocates”.

Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Correspondent

On Tuesday the 18th of March, senior CNN correspondent Donie O’ Sullivan was presented with a Mutatio Factorem award by the UCC Law Society.

Lucy Coleman, Ex-Officio, UCC Law Society, said: ‘‘The Law Society is very grateful to Donie O’ Sullivan for coming to UCC to proudly accept the award. This award loosely translates to ‘change-maker’. The award was founded by former President Mary Robinson and was also awarded to Sir Bob Geldoff, Bressie and Stephen Fry. This award is given to individuals who the Law Society believe to have been significant change makers in their lives and careers and have inspired the future generation of change makers. In an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, Donie has been a steadfast voice of clarity and integrity- a fearless reporter, a truth-seeker and a change maker in every sense of the word. Furthermore, it was a privilege to welcome RTE’s former Washington correspondent Brian O’ Donovan to chair this event. It was a truly remarkable event”.

President Michael D. Higgins

On Friday 9^th May, President Michael D. Higgins was presented with a Mutatio Factorem award by the UCC Law Society.

Carmel O’Donoghue, Auditor of the 95th Session of the UCC Law Society said: ‘‘President Higgins has dedicated his life to public service, championing social justice, equality and human rights both at home and abroad. A poet, a statesman and a lifelong advocate for compassion in politics, he has profoundly shaped Irish society through his unwavering commitment to progress and dignity for all”.