Presidential award for Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC

Ms Gallagher, who began her legal career in Dublin and now practises with Doughty Street Chambers in London, is among 13 people who will receive the award from President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin in the coming months.

Since 2005, Ms Gallagher has acted in many landmark human rights cases before the European Court of Human Rights, United Nations bodies and other international tribunals, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and courts in the UK and a number of other jurisdictions.

Her prominent work has included acting for bereaved families and survivors of the 7/7 London bombings and the Hillsborough disaster, and in a number of high-profile case related to journalists’ safety, including acting for the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in Malta in 2017, and Jimmy Lai, the media owner, writer and pro-democracy campaigner imprisoned in Hong Kong.

The UN Secretary-General recently highlighted reprisals by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities against Ms Gallagher as a result of her work leading Mr Lai’s legal team, drawing condemnation from the UK and US governments.

Ms Gallagher was appointed as Ireland’s special rapporteur on child protection in February and joined UCD Sutherland School of Law as an adjunct full professor last month.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “This award recognises the exceptional achievements, contributions, and service of members of our diaspora in all its forms.

“Each of the 13 awardees has made an outstanding mark in their field of endeavour — across the arts, culture, charitable works, business, education, science, Irish community support, peace and reconciliation, and inclusion and equality. I look forward to meeting them in Ireland when the President presents the awards.”

Sean Fleming TD, minister of state for international development and diaspora, added: “Ireland’s global family is distinguished by the calibre of its vision, effort, and engagement. This year has seen awards conferred on people across the continents for an impressive range and depth of endeavour and achievements.

“Awardees will travel to Dublin to receive the awards and I will be delighted to meet them to hear more about their work.”