National essay competition win for St Vincent’s student Holland brothers lifting more medals

LOUTH transition year student Saorla McDonagh Sharkey has been named winner of the Law Society of Ireland’s inaugural National Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition. And there was further local success with De La Salle student Michael Kerley picking up third place in the national competition.

The competition invited 1,500-word essays on the topic “The law and social media: striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible usage”. Of the more than 80 essays submitted by students from 38 schools across 14 different counties, Saorla, of St Vincent’s Secondary School in Dundalk, Louth, won the top award.

Saorla’s essay won a €1,000 prize, trophy and shield for her school. The judges commended her essay’s “unique approach” as she “carefully put a spotlight on social justice issues to enhance the critical debate of the competing rights”.

Richard Hammond SC, chairperson of the Law Society’s education committee, said: “This competition aims to encourage young people to engage with the law and consider their own legal rights, how the law impacts society. This competition aims to inspire students’ learning and develop their creativity in an engaging way.

“We were delighted to welcome our student finalists, their parents, guardians, and teachers, to the home of the Law Society of Ireland at Blackhall Place to celebrate their achievements.”

Saorla added: “I am delighted to be awarded first prize at the Gráinne

O’Neill essay competition. It’s very special that I could attend the event with my parents. The competition opened my eyes further to the world of law and the balance of legal rights and it has definitely inspired me to consider a career in law.

“I would like to thank my teachers, especially Mr Thompson for encouraging me always in

English and Mr Henry my TY Coordinator. I am proud to represent my Secondary school St Vincent’s Dundalk.”

Hari Chandana Parimkayala, of Loreto Secondary School, Wexford, was awarded second place and Michael Kerley of De La Salle College, Dundalk, Co Louth, came third.

The Gráinne O’Neill Memorial Legal Essay Competition honours the life and legacy of the late Judge Gráinne O’Neill, who became the youngest judge in Ireland on her appointment to the District Court in 2014. She died in 2018 following a period of illness.

The competition was initiated by 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.

THERE was success on the double for the Holland brothers at the AIPO National Powerlifting Championships in Limerick recently with both Scott and Jordan claiming gold in their respective categories.

Having built a shed at the bottom of their garden for training the Hollands may soon have to build another one to house all the gold medals the brothers have been winning on the national and international circuit.

Thirteen-year-old Scott and his older brother Jordan (22), from Cuchulainn’s Terrace just off the Castletown Road completed in the AIPO Nationals in the first weekend in March.

Jordan is now a well established and highly respected powerlifter on the national and international circuit and having burst on to the scene last year by winning gold in the U15 section of the 2022 nationals when just twelve years old Scott is quickly following in his big brothers footsteps.

In Limerick, Scott won the under 16, (T1) 67.5kg category at just 13 years of age and set new national records in the bench press, deadlift and total.

First he squatted 105kgs, benched 67.5 kg ( a new national record) and then had a deadlift of 127 kg (also a new deadlift record) for a total of 300 kg. That total was recognised as yet another new record and the biggest ever in Ireland under 16.

The youngster has now qualified to lift for Ireland in the Europeans in May, which will be the second time he has represented his country.

Next up was Scott’s older brother Jordan and