Professor Maeve McDonagh

An expert in information law, Professor McDonagh joined UCC in 1991 after relocating to Cork from Australia. She helped to develop one of the first modules in computer law at an Irish law school.

She brought her experience of Australia’s FOI law to Ireland and engaged with public servants drafting Ireland’s FOI legislation in the 1990s, providing the basis for her 1997 book, Freedom of Information Law.

Commenting on her appointment, Professor McDonagh said: “I am delighted to have been appointed emeritus professor at UCC School of Law. It is a great honour to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before me.

“I look forward to contributing to the future successes of the law school in any manner that may be deemed appropriate.”

Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of UCC School of Law, added: “It was with considerable sadness that I learned from Maeve soon after my appointment in 2019 that she intended to retire.

“Maeve is a very eminent, highly regarded scholar particularly in the fields of information law and IT law and to lose her was a blow. She has contributed hugely to the development of these fields over her career and had a real impact on the development of FOI legislation in a number of countries.

“However, I was really delighted to be able to assist in securing a continuing role for Maeve at UCC as an emeritus professor and I look forward to her continued contribution to the School for many years to come.”