Law Society invites Longford pupils to enter prestigious national competition

The Law Society of Ireland is inviting Transition Year (TY) students from Longford to enter the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition.

To enter, students are asked to submit a 1,500-word essay examining the topic, “Protecting Voices, Preventing Harm: Legal Challenges in Online Freedom of Speech” by Friday, November 21 next.

Now in its fourth year, the national competition aims to inspire young peoples’ legal learning by encouraging students from a wide range of backgrounds to consider contemporary justice issues.

The competition is part of the Law Society’s work to widen access to legal education.

Last year, 350 students from 52 schools across 16 counties entered the annual national competition.

Expanding access

President of the Law Society Eamon Harrington, said, “The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition is just one of the Law Society’s many school outreach programmes aimed at expanding access to the law and legal education for young people.

“The legal profession is evolving, and we are committed to supporting this change and widening access to legal careers for the next generation of solicitors.

“With this timely essay topic, we encourage students to explore the law and their legal rights and responsibilities while considering freedom of speech.

"Each essay is personal, and this is what makes this competition so unique.

"We hope this topic will ignite curiosity and will give students a better understanding of the law and how it impacts them and society.

“The Law Society runs a full suite of student initiatives, including Solicitors of the Future, Street Law, and Legal Ambitions and ahead of this school year, we invite schools to engage with us and take part in these comprehensive programmes.”

Hazel Barrett, Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Kerry was last year’s essay competition winner. She said, “The competition gave me a chance to learn more about the law and learn how the legal system can be used to protect people and uphold equal rights.”

About the competition

The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition honours the life and legacy of the late Judge Gráinne O’Neill.

In 2014, Gráinne became the youngest judge in Ireland when she was appointed to the District Court.

Gráinne died in 2018 following a period of illness but, during her life and especially during her years as a judge, Gráinne worked diligently to apply the law in a fair, rigorous and compassionate manner.

The competition was initiated by The Hon Mr Justice Keenan Johnson of the Circuit Court, in collaboration with the Midland Solicitors’ Bar Association in 2019.

This is the fourth year the competition is inviting entries from TY students across the country.

Applications close on November 21 next.

Further information is available on the Law Society website: https://www.lawsociety.ie/public/Public-Legal-Education/grainne-oneill-legal-essay-competition

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