The Law Society of Ireland has named Offaly Transition Year (TY) student Rhea Schreiber from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore, as the winner of the national Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition 2026. The winner was announced at a special ceremony for finalists held at the Law Society in Dublin on Wednesday 6 May 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 consider contemporary justice issues, and legal matters that they might encounter in their daily lives.

Thirty-six finalists attended the event. Aishling Heavey, Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Galway was awarded second place, while Niamh Doyle, Our Lady's Bower, Athlone, Westmeath took home third place.

Seven merit certificates were awarded to: Euan Stewart, Moville Community College, Donegal; Nathan Keane, St. Geralds DLS College, Mayo; Louise Tynan, St. Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhill’s, Dublin; Matias Ó Conaill, Christian Brothers College, Cork; Roiri Gately, Mercy College, Roscommon; Muhammad Ibrahim Tariq, Marist College, Athlone, Westmeath; and Primrose Scully, Árdscoil Na Tríonóide, Athy, Kildare.

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 essay’s, identify individual thinking and to be enlightened by a younger person’s 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.”

Winning words

Rhea’s essay was selected as the top entry and won a €1000 prize and a cup for her school. The judges commended Rhea for essay, noting it was a top tier submission and a deserving winner. They said it was an outstanding essay 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.”

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. The Law Society has hosted the national competition for the past four years.

Learn more about the Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition