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

3 Apr 2025

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. 

Ms. Lucy Walsh and Mr. Ben O’Sullivan appeared as counsel for the Appellants; and Ms. Niamh Mulcahy and Mr. William Walsh appeared 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 of Law 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 Ms. Sally Donegan who has supported the Gala Moot and sponsored the prize for many years. Ms. Niamh Mulcahy 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 Ms. Sally Donegan who made this annual event a possibility for the students again this year. 

Speaking following the Moot, Judge Helen Boyle said: 

“Once again, I am very impressed with the high standard of mooting. The students were very well prepared, had well researched and well thought out arguments. The standard of advocacy was very high, with students presenting their arguments in a professional way. They were well able to deal with judicial questions and able to rebut arguments and think on their feet. It is obvious that they put a lot of work into their presentation.  It was an honour to judge the moot, and I wish all of the participants the best in their future careers.” 

The students said:

Ben O’Sullivan: "It was an absolute privilege to have been given the opportunity to participate in the Gala Moot 2025 incorporating the James D Donegan Memorial Prize. Thanks to the guidance and support of Ms Colette O'Donovan and Ms Angela Staunton, I was able to develop my advocacy skills, allowing me to stand with confidence before the Court to deliver my submissions. Many thanks to Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle for taking the time to adjudicate the event, and to the Law School for encouraging us students to step outside of our comfort zone and to participate in Gala Moot. Finally, thank you to my fellow competitors for their support and friendship throughout the experience."

Lucy Walsh: “Participating in the 2025 Gala Moot before the Honourable Ms. Justice Helen Boyle was an extraordinary experience that I will cherish throughout my legal journey. This opportunity pushed me to develop my advocacy skills in a real courtroom setting, helping me gain confidence and insights into the practical aspects of law. I am deeply grateful to Judge Boyle for her time and thoughtful judgment, which added so much value to the experience. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Colette O'Donovan for her unwavering support and guidance throughout the preparation process. Her encouragement and expertise were invaluable. I am deeply grateful for the support of Niamh Mulcahy, William Walsh, and Ben O’Sullivan, who were so supportive to work alongside in preparation for the Gala Moot.  Lastly, I am thankful to the School of Law at UCC for providing such a fantastic opportunity, allowing us to refine our skills in a challenging and yet rewarding environment.”

William Walsh: “The Gala Moot was an incredible opportunity. It went beyond the development of my skills in mooting. It was also an engaging and fun experience.  The chance to deal with a real legal issue and then test my knowledge in the Washington Street Courthouse before The Honourable, Ms. Justice Helen Boyle is something that I won't forget. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Niamh Mulcahy, Ben O'Sullivan and Lucy Walsh in preparation for the Gala Moot.  The skill and knowledge displayed by them truly set a high bar. Finally, I would like to thank Colette O’Donovan who facilitated the event and encouraged us to pursue the competition.”

Niamh Mulcahy: “It was my privilege to present as part of a team before Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle at the UCC Gala Moot 2025.   We were very grateful to have been facilitated by the Courts Service to present our submissions in the splendour of the Court No. 1 in the Courthouse in Washington Street. I am especially grateful to Ms. Colette O’ Donovan and Ms. Angela Staunton for their counsel, support, and positive engagement during the preparations. This helped to make the experience thoroughly enjoyable. The Gala Moot was truly a team effort, and I am very appreciative of the support from my fellow students. Many thanks to Ms. Sally Donegan for her sponsorship of the Gala Moot and the prize for the accolade of “Outstanding Speaker” in memory of her late father.”

Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of School said:

“Participation in Mooting provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop an insight into the preparation and presentation of 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.  This year’s Gala Moot was of a really excellent standard and many congratulations to all the mooters, and in particular to BCL Clinical 4 student Niamh Mulcahy for securing the James D Donegan Memorial Prize for Outstanding Speaker with an impressive 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, Ms Colette O’Donovan, the court staff and Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle.'' 

This year's Gala Moot was organised by Ms. Colette O’Donovan, part-time lecturer at the School of Law.  Speaking following the competition, Ms. O’Donovan said: 

 “Congratulations to all of this year’s participants, namely, Lucy, Niamh, Ben and William who were a pleasure and an inspiration to work with.  I was very proud to see them deliver their submissions in the courthouse in Washington Street.  The Gala Moot was, as always, the result of a team effort of colleagues at the School of Law in collaboration with the staff of the Courts Service in Washington Street Courthouse.  We are very grateful to Her Honour Judge Helen Boyle, who made herself available to judge the Moot again this year.   Congratulations in particular to Niamh Mulcahy who was awarded the prize of ‘Outstanding Speaker’ this year.  The prize was kindly sponsored again this year, by Ms. Sally Donegan. The prize, in memory of her late father Mr. James D Donegan, has been a feature of the Gala Moot for many years, and we are very grateful for her ongoing support.”