Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) Noeline Blackwell has expressed her profound gratitude on being awarded an honorary doctorate in laws by Trinity College Dublin for her work promoting and upholding human rights in Ireland.

The citation recognises Noeline Blackwell’s work as the head of two national organisations that aim to support and defend basic human rights, including FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) where she worked before her current role with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

It also mentions her roles in a number of other bodies that support the rights of different groups.

Privileged

Commenting on the award, Blackwell said: “I feel very privileged to receive this distinction, which I believe reflects the work of all those whose talents and energy sustain and promote those organisations, and others with which I’ve been associated. I accept the award in recognition of all of us.

“I believe that, in the main, our society does understand the importance of respecting and protecting human rights, and our vibrant civil-society culture nourishes and underpins this work.

“I have been lucky to have been able to contribute to promoting our fundamental human rights as part of all these fantastic organisations, and so I thank Trinity College Dublin for the award.” 

Blackwell was also recently honoured at the Irish Law Awards.