Wilson's student a finalist in Gráinne O’Neill memorial essay competition

A student from Wilson’s Hospital School was a finalist in a Law Society essay competition that remembers the legacy of Westmeath judge, Gráinne O’Neill.

Joshua Salley was among the 32 young people who attended the awards event in Dublin for the inaugural National Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition.

There were more than 80 essays from 38 schools in 14 counties, and each student submitted 1,500-word essay examining the topic, ‘The law and social media: striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible usage’.

The other Westmeath students were David Nolan and Mia Olwill from Athlone Community College; and Nathan Kelly and Andrew McGorisk from Marist College, Athlone. Transition year student Saorla McDonagh Sharkey, St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk, Louth, took the top prize.

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, she worked diligently to apply the law in a fair, rigorous and compassionate manner.

The competition was initiated The Hon Mr Justice Keenan Johnson of the Circuit Court, in collaboration with the Midland Solicitors Bar Association in 2019. This is the first year the competition invited entries from transition year students across the country.

“It’s fitting that we can bring Gráinne’s legacy to a national platform, and to continue to make a difference to young people, their learnings and their lives,” Mr Hammond SC said.