A LIMERICK student who helped usher in a landmark legal decision for voting rights in Ireland was among those given a top award at the University of Limerick.
Tomás Heneghan received a prestigious University of Limerick Alumni Award in recognition of his contribution to Irish society and democracy.
Over half a million Irish university graduates gained Seanad voting rights as a result of Supreme Court Case which saw Mr Heneghan successfully challenge the constitutionality of laws which meant only graduates from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and NUI Galway could vote in Seanad University Panel elections.
In March 2023, the Supreme Court decided the State was required to expand the franchise and legislation was introduced last October to create a new six-seat Seanad University Panel which see more graduates included in the next Seanad election than ever before in the country.
The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC), an independent human rights and equality organisation who represented the former UL student in the landmark case, said it was “thrilled to see Tomás receive this well-deserved recognition”.
“Tomás has an unwavering commitment to democracy, equality, and the rule of law. He was extraordinarily brave, persistent, and selfless in taking this case. There was no potential for any financial gain for Tomás out of this litigation and he had to face many barriers, including the risk of financial ruin. He received explicit threats that he would have to pay the State’s legal costs in the event that his case did not succeed,” FLAC said.
Also awarded on the night were trailblazing jockey Rachael Blackmore, three-time Olympian Thomas Barr, and Joseph Kinihan, who has spent the past 13 years carrying out humanitarian work in maternal health across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Rachael Blackmore, who retired from racing in May, was the first female jockey to win the Aintree Grand National, Champion Hurge, and the Chelthenham Gold Club. She also became the first woman to be crowned leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, amassing 18 wins at the iconic festival across her career.
Thomas Barr is one of Ireland’s most decorated track and field athletes. Specialising in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, the Waterford athlete represented Ireland at three Olympic Games and earned multiple international medals.
At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Thomas produced a stunning performance in the final of the 400m hurdles to finish fourth, setting a national record of 47.97 seconds – a record that still stands today. In 2018, he won bronze at the European Championships, becoming the first Irish male sprinter to medal at an outdoor European event.
Joe Kinahan, after a successful 20-year career in Silicon Valley with Analog Devices, transitioned to full-time voluntary service as executive director of the Maternal Health Foundation (MHF), working for over a decade in maternal health across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 2025 UL Alumni Awards were held at the Castletroy Park Hotel last Friday (September 26), with over 200 guests in attendance.
