Tomás Heneghan receives prestigious UL Alumni Award; Over half a million graduates have gained Seanad voting rights as a result of Mr Heneghan’s Supreme Court case

26 September 2025

Mr Tomás Heneghan has received the prestigious University of Limerick Alumni Award in recognition of his contribution to Irish society and democracy. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) represented Mr Heneghan in his landmark Supreme Court case concerning voting rights in Seanad elections. UL Alumni Awards are presented to the university’s most accomplished, innovative, inspiring, creative and influential alumni.

Mr Heneghan successfully challenged the constitutionality of the laws which meant that only graduates of TCD and NUI may vote in Seanad University Panel elections. In March 2023, the Supreme Court decided that the State was required to expand the franchise for those elections. As a result, legislation introduced in October 2024 created a new six-seat Seanad University Panel which will be elected by all graduates of universities and institutes of higher education. This means over half a million more graduates are eligible to vote in the next Seanad election and may register to do so at SeanadVoter.ie.

FLAC Chief Executive, Eilis Barry, congratulated Mr Heneghan:

“FLAC are thrilled to see Tomás receive this well-deserved recognition. The judgment in the Heneghan case is of great legal and constitutional significance. Its practical impact also cannot be overstated. Tomás’ case has resulted in the biggest expansion of voting rights in Ireland of this century.

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. Tomás took on a David-versus-Goliath legal battle against the State to challenge what he saw as - and what was found to be - a clear injustice. Even in a case of such significance, the State does not provide legal aid for public interest cases and Tomás began his case in the High Court without any legal representation (FLAC’s Independent Law Centre began representing him shortly after). FLAC is honoured to have represented Tomás and we are delighted that UL is honouring this principled person. Congratulations Tomás!”

ENDS/

Notes to Editors:

FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) is an independent human rights and equality organisation, which exists to promote equal access to justice. As an Independent Law Centre, FLAC takes on a number of cases in the public interest each year, and operates a Traveller Legal Service and Roma Legal Clinic. FLAC also operates a legal information and referral telephone line, a nationwide network of legal advice clinics where volunteer lawyers provide basic free legal advice, and a public interest law project which facilitates NGOs to obtain legal assistance from private lawyers via its pro bono referral scheme.

FLAC’s initial response to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Heneghan case may be accessed here: https://www.flac.ie/news/2023/03/31/landmark-supreme-court-judgment-laws-limiting-elec/