Justice is Served: Moville student wins merit at Law Society national essay contest
“Students were invited to explore how we balance our laws and rights when it comes to freedom of speech, preventing harm, and how this translates to social media”
Inishowen student, Euan Stewart, from Moville Community College, has won a Law Society of Ireland merit award in the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition 2026.
Now in its fourth year, the annual competition invites TY students from across the country to submit a 1,500-word legal essay on a specific topic.
This year, over 500 essays were submitted by students from 67 schools across 20 counties, each exploring the topic: 'Protecting Voices, Preventing Harm – Legal Challenges in Online Freedom of Speech'.
The essay competition aims to inspire legal learning amongst students across the country by encouraging them to consider contemporary justice issues and legal matters that they might encounter in their daily lives.
Thirty-four finalists attended the event, including merit certificate winner Euan Stewart, Moville Community College.
President of the Law Society, Rosemarie Loftus, said: “The Gráinne O’Neill Legal Essay Competition is a highlight in the Law Society’s public legal education events calendar each year. It is an opportunity to engage with students from every corner of Ireland, to encourage them to consider law and legal concepts, and to provide them with an opportunity to reflect on how these might relate to their daily lives.”
“This year’s topic, ‘Protecting Voices, Preventing Harm: Legal Challenges in Online Freedom of Speech’, is particularly relevant in our modern world. Students were invited to explore how we balance our laws and rights when it comes to freedom of speech, preventing harm, and how this translates to social media.”
The judges were impressed by the breadth of ideas and structured arguments put forward
“The judges were impressed by the breadth of ideas and structured arguments put forward. Hundreds of students rose to the challenge. Congratulations to all students who took part, with special recognition for this year’s finalists and winners. We hope many will go on to pursue legal studies, remain curious, and consider a future in the field of law.”
Meanwhile, Offaly Transition Year (TY) student Rhea Schreiber, from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore, was announced as the overall winner of the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition 2026.
Rhea’s essay was selected as the top entry and won a €1,000 prize and a cup for her school.