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

27 Mar 2023

This year’s Moot competition was held on Thursday 2nd 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. 

Mr Benjamin Williamson and Mr Mark O'Connor appeared as counsel for the Appellants, with Mr Ruairí McIntyre and Ms Katie O'Brien appearing on behalf of the Respondents.

The students presented and defended legal submissions before Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle.  An audience of students and staff of the School attended the court proceedings. Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of the School of Law provided closing remarks.

The Gala Moot incorporates the James D. Donegan Memorial Prize, which is awarded each year to the student who, in the opinion of the judge, should be awarded the prize of ‘outstanding speaker’.  The prize was generously donated again this year, by S. Donegan & Co. Solicitors, Cobh, Co. Cork, who have supported the Gala Moot and sponsored the prize for many years. Mark O'Connor, BCL Law and Business student, was this year’s recipient of the prestigious prize.

It was an honour for the students this year, to appear before Judge Boyle, an alumna of UCC. 

The School and its students extend their thanks to Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle, the staff at the courthouse and Sally Donegan & Co. Solicitors who made this annual event a possibility for the students again this year. 

Speaking following the Moot, the students said: 

Ms Katie O'Brien: ''Participating in the Gala Moot was a phenomenal experience and a real achievement for me, personally. To have had the opportunity to present a submission in front of Ms. Justice Boyle was an honour and a privilege. I would especially like to thank Dr. Samantha Williams and Ms. Colette O'Donovan for their tutelage and support throughout the process these past few months. As someone who had never participated in Moot previously, this achievement and experience is certainly one of the highlights of my time as a UCC student.'' 

Mr Benjamin Williamson: ''It was an honour to take part in the James D. Donegan Gala Moot. It has been a highlight of my time at UCC and I will carry the memory proudly after graduating. I want to sincerely thank the School of Law for the opportunity to take part in such a rewarding competition. I would also like to thank her Honour Judge Helen Boyle for taking the time to judge the moot and Dr. Samantha Morgan-Williams for giving so generously of her time in preparing us. Taking part in the Gala Moot has cemented my love of advocacy and proves that mooting can be a fun and enjoyable experience.''

Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of School said:

''Participation in Mooting provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop a range of lawyerly skills, as well as giving them the opportunity to prepare and present a case, and in the Gala Moot, to do that in front of a real judge. This is a really invaluable experience whether or not students intend to go into court practice in the legal profession.  The high quality of this year’s moot really stands out and my congratulations to all the mooters and particularly to BCL Law & Business student Mark O’Connor for securing the James D Donegan Memorial Prize for Outstanding Speaker with a compelling performance.  Many thanks to all my colleagues involved at every stage of the Moot Modules and all those who ensured the Gala Moot ran so smoothly and successfully including, notably, Dr Samantha Morgan Williams, the court staff and Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle.'' 

This year's Gala Moot was organised by Dr Samantha Williams, lecturer at the School of Law.  Speaking following the competition, Dr Williams said: 

''The students who competed in this year's Gala Moot were a testament to themselves and the School of Law, UCC and it was an honour to work with the students, and to see their hard work pay off. Special thanks must go to colleagues in the School of Law who supported the Moot and particularly to Ms Colette O'Donovan who worked with the students throughout the semester in their Moot Module. Her excellent tuition was undoubtedly instrumental in supporting the development of such a high standard of mooting. Thanks also to Cillian Bracken, BL who provided an excellent skills tutorial for the students prior to the Gala. We remain grateful to the Court staff at Washington St and Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle for her judging of the Moot during a very busy time in the court calendar. Without their continued support the Gala Moot would not be possible.  Congratulations to all of the participants and in particular Mr Mark O'Connor who was awarded the prize of ‘Outstanding Speaker.'' 

Students of the School of Law pictured here with Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle, Sally Donegan, Juli Rea, Professor Mark Poustie and Dr Samantha Williams.