Tullamore student wins Law Society Gráinne O’Neill Memorial competition
A student from Sacred Heart Secondary School in Tullamore has been announced as the winner of the Law Society of Ireland's national Gráinne O'Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition for 2026.
Transition Year (TY) student Rhea Schreiber claimed at the top award at a special ceremony for finalists held at the Law Society in Dublin on Wednesday of this week.
Fellow students of Rhea's from Sacred Heart Secondary School in Tullamore, Dervla Brady, Juliet Smith, Keira Law and Melanie Geppart, also attended the event as finalists.
As a result of its selection as the top entry, Rhea’s essay won a €1,000 prize and a cup for her school.
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 judges described the Tullamore student's essay as a "top-tier" submission and a deserving winner. They said it was an outstanding piece of work with excellent legal insight, originality and clarity of argument.
Commenting on her win, Rhea said: "I'm delighted to win the Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition this year.
"Researching and writing the essay topic gave me a chance to learn more about Irish law and consider the different legal rights that are relevant when we share views online and on social media.
"One of the most valuable things I learned during this process was about Judge Gráinne O’Neill; it was fascinating to learn about her life, her experiences, how she was the youngest judge. I found her passion for the law inspiring.
"A special thank you to my teachers at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore for encouraging our class to take part in this year’s essay competition."
The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition honours the life and legacy of the late Judge Gráinne O’Neill from Athlone.
In 2014, Gráinne became the youngest judge in Ireland when she was appointed to the District Court. She 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.
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 the breadth of ideas and structured arguments put forward. Hundreds of students rose to the challenge, and it was heartening to read so many considered essays, identify individual thinking and to be enlightened by a younger persons' perspective and understanding of the legal challenges that online freedom of speech can bring.
"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," she added.