Kildare woman wins prestigious Justice Award

Monasterevin journalist Mary Fanning, who retired from RTÉ last year, received a merit award at the Justice Media Awards held at the Law Society Headquarters at Blackhall Place on Wednesday (25 June).

The award was for a programme she produced on 'Women in the Law' for the Nationwide programme last year, and followed the journey of the first 100 female solicitors in Ireland.

Ms Fanning said: "I'm delighted to get this award for a programme about women who were trailblazers in the legal world.” 

The programme also looked back at the career of Moya Quinlan, the first woman president of the Law Society, but one of an elite group who trailblazed the path for women lawyers in Ireland after the Sex Disqualification Act in 1919.

The Law Society celebrated a century of equal opportunities through many events, and part of that celebration was the renaming of the main lecture hall after Moya Quinlan in recognition of her achievements.

Mary Fanning reported on those who went before, those who succeeded against the odds, and some present-day brilliant practitioners.

She also reported on the Law Society as an educational institution, as well as the access programmes that open the profession to all.

Ms Fanning won the overall Justice Media award in 2017 for a programme on 'Street Law' that reported on trainee solicitors in schools.