L-R:  Dr Niamh Howlin, UCD President Prof Orla Feely, the Chief Justice, and Dean of Law, Imelda Maher.

On 2 September 2025, the Chief Justice was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the School of Law at UCD in recognition of his outstanding contributions to law, public service, and the UCD community.   

The official citation delivered by Dr Niamh Howlin at the ceremony highlighted the connection maintained between the Chief Justice and UCD both as a graduate of the law school and throughout his career.   

“Over the years, [Mr Justice O’Donnell] has supported the UCD Student Law Review, the Student Legal Service and the student Law Society, always willing to share his expertise. He even tutored in the Law Faculty during his early years at the bar. Successive groups of students have appreciated and benefited from having access to one of Ireland’s leading legal thinkers.” – Dr Niamh Howlin, Associate Professor of UCD Sutherland School of Law 

For more information and the full text of the citation delivered by Dr Howlin, please see: https://www.ucd.ie/law/news/chiefjusticemrdonalodonnellawardeducdhonorarydoctorate/