Prof. Donncha O'Connell


Contact Details

ESTABLISHED PROFESSORSHIP OF LAW (NO 2)
School of Law
TB407
Arts/Science Building
NUI Galway
T: Ext. 2821
E: donncha.oconnell@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Donncha O'Connell is an Established Professor of Law at NUI Galway. He teaches European Human Rights on undergraduate programmes and Processes of Law Reform and Advocacy, Activism & Public Interest Law on the LL.M in Public Law. He also contributes to the teaching of Constitutional Law. He was Dean of the Faculty of Law at NUI Galway from 2005 to 2008 prior to the establishment of the College of Business, Public Policy & Law, and Head of the School of Law from 2013 to 2017. He is a Commissioner (part-time) of the Law Reform Commission having been appointed by the government on the nomination of Attorney General, Máire Whelan, SC, in 2012. He is also a member of the Legal Aid Board.Donncha is the founder and editor of the Irish Human Rights Law Review, an edited collection published biennially by Clarus Press, and the Ireland Correspondent for the International Survey section of the journal, Public Law.He was, previously, the Senior Irish member of FRALEX and lead author of various reports (listed below). FRALEX was the legal expert group, appointed following a competitive tender process, that advised the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) based in Vienna from 2007-2011. Donncha was called to the Irish Bar in 1992 and joined the Faculty of Law at NUI Galway (then UCG) in 1993 having completed an LL.M at the University of Edinburgh. From 1999 to 2002, while on leave of absence from NUIG, he was the first full-time Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, an NGO founded in 1976 by Mary Robinson and the late Kader Asmal. Upon returning to NUI Galway in 2002 he was appointed as the Irish member of the EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights established by the European Commission on the recommendation of the European Parliament LIBE Committee. As a member of this Network he wrote annual national reports (listed below) which formed part of Synthesis Reports submitted by the Network to the EU Commission and Parliament. He contributed to the four Thematic Comments published by the Network and to Opinions on the following topics furnished by the Network to the EU Commission: ethnic profiling, extraordinary renditions, discrimination in age limits for sexual offences, political participation rights, gay rights, violent radicalisation and terrorism, rights of conscientious objection, racism and xenophobia, the role of national human rights institutions and the rules of criminal evidence. Donncha has also participated as a Council of Europe expert in several judicial training programmes in Croatia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and has worked in a similar capacity in other countries with the Netherlands Helsinki Federation and INTERIGHTS.In 2006, Donncha became a member of the Board of Directors of the internationally renowned Druid Theatre Company. He also chaired the Programme Forum of FOMACS, a collaborative public media project based in DIT, for a number of years and was (until appointed to the Legal aid Board) a member of the Advisory Board of the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA), both of which are funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies. From 2002-2005 he was a member of the National Council of the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) Ltd and of the Executive Committee of Amnesty International Ireland. He co-edited (with Mike Milotte) five monographs in the Justice in Controversy series published by Irish Academic Press. In 2009 he edited and wrote the Foreword to 60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a collection of essays published by New Island Books and Amnesty International. Donncha spent the academic year 2009-2010 as a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) where he completed the LSE Certificate in International Human Rights Law Practice. He served on the Board of Directors of INTERIGHTS – The International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights from 2009 to 2012. In 2011, he contested the election to Seanad Éireann in the NUI constituency coming sixth out of twenty-seven candidates on first preference votes. In the same year he was also shortlisted for the Irish seat on the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and ranked first on the shortlist by the relevant sub-committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).In the past he has been a visiting and guest lecturer at Boston College (USA), Columbia University (USA), l’Université de Poitiers (France), Montana State University (USA), Roosevelt University, Chicago (USA), the Department of Social Studies (TCD), the Law School (TCD), the Equality Studies Centre (UCD). Donncha is a regular contributor to news and current affairs programmes in the English and Irish language media and writes occasional opinion pieces on law and politics for newspapers and magazines. 

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2006) '“ECHR Act 2003: A Preliminary Assessment of Impact”'
O'Connell, D. (2006) '“ECHR Act 2003: A Preliminary Assessment of Impact”'. Law Society of Ireland. Gazette, 100 (9):8-9 [Details]
(2006) '“In Defence of the Law and its Legitimate Business”'
O'Connell, D. (2006) '“In Defence of the Law and its Legitimate Business”'. Law Society of Ireland. Gazette, 100 (1):12-13 [Details]
(1997) 'Review of Berger, Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights, Vol. III, 1991-1993'
O'Connell, D. (1997) 'Review of Berger, Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights, Vol. III, 1991-1993'. Irish Law Times, 23 [Details]
(1996) 'Review of Forde, Extradition Law in Ireland'
O'Connell, D. (1996) 'Review of Forde, Extradition Law in Ireland'. European Public Law, 2 (1):157-159 [Details]
(1996) '“The Right to Silence and Access to a Lawyer: Murray v. United Kingdom”'
O'Connell, D. (1996) '“The Right to Silence and Access to a Lawyer: Murray v. United Kingdom”'. Irish Law Times, 14 (8):185-187 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2010) Irish Human Rights Law Review 2010.
(Editor and founder) O'Connell, D (2010) Irish Human Rights Law Review 2010. Dublin: Clarus Press. [Details]
(2009) 60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(Editor) O'Connell, D (2009) 60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ireland: New Island Books & Amnesty International Ireland. [Details]
(2006) ECHR Act 2003: A Preliminary Assessment of Impact.
(Project Director and lead author with Cummiskey, Meeneghan and O’Connell) (2006) ECHR Act 2003: A Preliminary Assessment of Impact. Ireland: Law Society of Ireland & Dublin Solicitors’ Bar Association. [Details]
(1999) Equality Now: The SIPTU Guide to the Employment Equality Act 1998.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Equality Now: The SIPTU Guide to the Employment Equality Act 1998. Ireland: SIPTU. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2014) 'Bunreacht na hÉireann: Radical Reform or Redundant Rumination?'
O'Connell, D. (2014) 'Bunreacht na hÉireann: Radical Reform or Redundant Rumination?' In: Foundation Stone - Notes Towards a Constitution for a 21st-Century Republic. Dublin: New Island. [Details]
(2012) '“Within and Beyond These Walls: University Academics as Public Intellectuals”'
O'Connell, D. (2012) '“Within and Beyond These Walls: University Academics as Public Intellectuals”' In: Reflections on Crisis: The Role of the Public Intellectual. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
(2009) '“Watched Kettles Boil (Slowly): The Impact of the ECHR Act 2003”'
O'Connell, D. (2009) '“Watched Kettles Boil (Slowly): The Impact of the ECHR Act 2003”' In: ECHR & Irish Law. UK: Jordans. [Details]
(2009) 'Foreword'
O'Connell, D. (2009) 'Foreword' In: 60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ireland: New Island Books & Amnesty International Ireland. [Details]
(2008) '“The Added Value of Sub-Constitutional Incorporation: ECHR Act 2003”'
O'Connell, D. (2008) '“The Added Value of Sub-Constitutional Incorporation: ECHR Act 2003”' In: The Irish Constitution: Governance & Values. Ireland: Thomson Round Hall. [Details]
(2007) '“Personal Freedoms v. Public Good”'
O'Connell, D. (2007) '“Personal Freedoms v. Public Good”' In: Ethical Dilemmas in a Pandemic: Proceedings of the Irish Council for Bioethics Conference. Dublin: Irish Council for Bioethics. [Details]
(2006) 'Chapters 48 & 49'
O'Connell, D. (2006) 'Chapters 48 & 49' In: Commentary on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. EU: EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights. [Details]
(2006) '“The Irish Citizenship Referendum 2004: A Solution in Search of a Problem?”'
O'Connell, D. with Smyth (2006) '“The Irish Citizenship Referendum 2004: A Solution in Search of a Problem?”' In: Migration, Diasporas and Legal Systems in Europe. UK, USA & Canada: Cavendish. [Details]
(2003) 'Citizenship and the Irish Constitution'
Ciara Smyth & Donncha O'Connell (2003) 'Citizenship and the Irish Constitution' In: Sanctuary in Ireland, Perspectives on Asylum Law and Policy. Dublin, Ireland: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
(2001) '“Chapter 18 – Ireland”'
O'Connell, D. (2001) '“Chapter 18 – Ireland”' In: Fundamental Rights in Europe: The European Convention on Human Rights and its Member States, 1950-2000. UK: Oxford University Press in association with the Council of Europe. [Details]
(2000) '“The Irish Constitution and the ECHR: Belt & Braces or Blinkers?”'
O'Connell, D. (2000) '“The Irish Constitution and the ECHR: Belt & Braces or Blinkers?”' In: rish Human Rights Review 2000. Ireland: Round Hall Sweet & Maxwell. [Details]
(1995) '“Review of Cases from the Republic of Ireland over the Last Decade”'
O'Connell, D. (1995) '“Review of Cases from the Republic of Ireland over the Last Decade”' In: Irish Human Rights Yearbook 1995. Ireland: Round Hall Sweet & Maxwell. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2009) Justice in Controversy Monograph Series.
Monograph series co-editor O'Connell, D (with Mike Milotte) (Ed.). (2009) Justice in Controversy Monograph Series Justice in Controversy Monograph Series. Ireland: Irish Academic Press. [Details]

ANET/COS

  Year Publication
(2008) Discussant (responding to papers delivered by Professor William Binchy, Dr. Marie-Luce Paris-Dobozy and Colm Ó Cinnéide) at Irish European Law Forum 11th Annual Conference, Constitutionalisation: In Search of More Effective Human Rights Protection in Europe, UCD School of Law, Dublin.
O'Connell, D. (2008) Discussant (responding to papers delivered by Professor William Binchy, Dr. Marie-Luce Paris-Dobozy and Colm Ó Cinnéide) at Irish European Law Forum 11th Annual Conference, Constitutionalisation: In Search of More Effective Human Rights Protection in Europe, UCD School of Law, Dublin. ANET/COS [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2010) “Ireland, civil and political rights and the UPR”, paper presented at conference organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs to prepare for Ireland’s first examination under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), National Convention Centre, Dublin.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “Ireland, civil and political rights and the UPR”, paper presented at conference organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs to prepare for Ireland’s first examination under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), National Convention Centre, Dublin. Conference Paper [Details]
(2009) “Is the collective noun for rights charters ‘a confusion’? Reasons to be sceptical about the proposed All-Island Charter of Rights”, paper presented to an IRCHSS-funded conference, A Charter of Rights for the Island of Ireland, hosted by the School of Law, UCD in association with the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Newman House, Dublin.
O'Connell, D. (2009) “Is the collective noun for rights charters ‘a confusion’? Reasons to be sceptical about the proposed All-Island Charter of Rights”, paper presented to an IRCHSS-funded conference, A Charter of Rights for the Island of Ireland, hosted by the School of Law, UCD in association with the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Newman House, Dublin. Conference Paper [Details]
(2009) “The Role of Public Intellectuals in Times of Crisis”, paper presented to a symposium hosted by the Royal Irish Academy Committee for Social Sciences, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.
O'Connell, D. (2009) “The Role of Public Intellectuals in Times of Crisis”, paper presented to a symposium hosted by the Royal Irish Academy Committee for Social Sciences, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. Conference Paper [Details]
(2008) Constitutionalisation: In Search of More Effective Human Rights Protection in Europe. Irish European Law Forum 11th Annual Conference UCD School of Law.
O'Connell, D. (2008) Constitutionalisation: In Search of More Effective Human Rights Protection in Europe. Irish European Law Forum 11th Annual Conference UCD School of Law. Dublin,Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2008) Policing, Immigration, Asylum: Should the FoI Act Apply?. Office of Information Commissioner to mark 10th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act.
O'Connell, D. (2008) Policing, Immigration, Asylum: Should the FoI Act Apply?. Office of Information Commissioner to mark 10th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act. Dublin,Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2008) Overview and Assessment of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 - Five Years On Irish Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (2008) Overview and Assessment of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 - Five Years On Irish Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Ireland. Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2007) Searching for Impact after the ECHR Act 2003. Rebalancing Criminal Justice in Ireland: A Question of Rights? Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Faculty of Law, UCC.
O'Connell, D. (2007) Searching for Impact after the ECHR Act 2003. Rebalancing Criminal Justice in Ireland: A Question of Rights? Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Faculty of Law, UCC. Conference Paper [Details]
(2007) The Added Value of Sub-Constitutional Incorporation: ECHR Act 2003. 70th anniversary of the Irish Constitution School of Law.
O'Connell, D. (2007) The Added Value of Sub-Constitutional Incorporation: ECHR Act 2003. 70th anniversary of the Irish Constitution School of Law. TCD Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2007) Legal Responses to Immigration: The Role of the Irish Courts. Race and Immigration in the New Ireland Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame South Bend.
O'Connell, D. (2007) Legal Responses to Immigration: The Role of the Irish Courts. Race and Immigration in the New Ireland Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame South Bend. University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA: Conference Paper [Details]
(2007) The Role of the Courts in Public Interest Litigation: Problems of Legitimacy and Efficacy. Guest Seminar Roosevelt University Chicago, IL, USA.
O'Connell, D. (2007) The Role of the Courts in Public Interest Litigation: Problems of Legitimacy and Efficacy. Guest Seminar Roosevelt University Chicago, IL, USA. Roosevelt University Chicago, IL, USA: Conference Paper [Details]
(2006) Personal Freedoms v. Public Good. Ethical Dilemmas in a Pandemic Irish Council for Bioethics RDS.
O'Connell, D. (2006) Personal Freedoms v. Public Good. Ethical Dilemmas in a Pandemic Irish Council for Bioethics RDS. Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2006) Education, Politics & Sectarianism. Centenary of the death of Michael Davitt Pontoon, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (2006) Education, Politics & Sectarianism. Centenary of the death of Michael Davitt Pontoon, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(2006) ESC Rights and Gender. Women's Rights Women's Human Rights Alliance and the Irish Human Rights Commission.
O'Hare, U, O'Connell, D. (2006) ESC Rights and Gender. Women's Rights Women's Human Rights Alliance and the Irish Human Rights Commission. Galway, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2005) Marginalised People: What a Difference the Law Makes?. Parnell Summer School.
O'Connell, D. (2005) Marginalised People: What a Difference the Law Makes?. Parnell Summer School. Avondale, Co. Wicklow, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2005) What Use is the Law? An Update on the Role of Law in Preventing Exploitation and Discrimination. SIPTU Biennial Women's Conference.
O'Connell, D. (2005) What Use is the Law? An Update on the Role of Law in Preventing Exploitation and Discrimination. SIPTU Biennial Women's Conference. Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2005) The Citizenship Referendum 2004. Centre for Transcultural Media Studies.
O'Connell, D. (2005) The Citizenship Referendum 2004. Centre for Transcultural Media Studies. DIT Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2005) The Irish Human Rights Commission. Law & Policy LL.M Seminar Series.
O'Connell, D. (2005) The Irish Human Rights Commission. Law & Policy LL.M Seminar Series. UCC: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) The Role of Human Rights in Public Administration. 20th anniversary conference Office of Ombudsman.
O'Connell, D. (2004) The Role of Human Rights in Public Administration. 20th anniversary conference Office of Ombudsman. Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) The Incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Irish Law: Clever and Elegant or Too Clever by Half?. Brian Walsh Memorial Lecture Irish Society for European Law, Bar Council Distillery Building.
O'Connell, D. (2004) The Incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Irish Law: Clever and Elegant or Too Clever by Half?. Brian Walsh Memorial Lecture Irish Society for European Law, Bar Council Distillery Building. Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) “The Legal Implications of an All-Island Charter of Rights for the island of Ireland”, paper presented at conference organised by the British Council in association with UCC Faculty of Law, UCC, Cork.
O'Connell, D. (2004) “The Legal Implications of an All-Island Charter of Rights for the island of Ireland”, paper presented at conference organised by the British Council in association with UCC Faculty of Law, UCC, Cork. Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) Progress Thus Far Under the ECHR Act 2003/ The Legal Implications of an All-Island Charter of Rights for the island of Ireland. Annual Human Rights Conference Law Society of Ireland and the Irish Human Rights Commission/ British Council in association with UCC Faculty of Law.
O'Connell, D. (2004) Progress Thus Far Under the ECHR Act 2003/ The Legal Implications of an All-Island Charter of Rights for the island of Ireland. Annual Human Rights Conference Law Society of Ireland and the Irish Human Rights Commission/ British Council in association with UCC Faculty of Law. UCC: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) Deportation of Irish Born Children: Constitutional and Refugee Law Issues. W.G. Hart Legal Workshop, The Challenge of Migration to Legal Systems Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
O'Connell, D, Smyth, C. (2004) Deportation of Irish Born Children: Constitutional and Refugee Law Issues. W.G. Hart Legal Workshop, The Challenge of Migration to Legal Systems Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. University of London: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) The Role of NGOs in Ensuring State Compliance with International Human Rights Obligations. International Human Rights Summer School School of International and Public Affairs.
O'Connell, D. (2004) The Role of NGOs in Ensuring State Compliance with International Human Rights Obligations. International Human Rights Summer School School of International and Public Affairs. Columbia University New York, USA: Conference Paper [Details]
(2002) The Experience of 'Shadowing' a Government before the UN Human Rights Committee: Ireland and the Second ICCPR Examination. National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter-Culturalism (NCCRI) to prepare for Ireland's first examination under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
O'Connell, D. (2002) The Experience of 'Shadowing' a Government before the UN Human Rights Committee: Ireland and the Second ICCPR Examination. National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter-Culturalism (NCCRI) to prepare for Ireland's first examination under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2002) New Human Rights and Equality Institutions in Ireland. Annual Conference of Mental Health Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (2002) New Human Rights and Equality Institutions in Ireland. Annual Conference of Mental Health Ireland. Westport, Co, Mayo, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2002) Human Rights in the Republic of Ireland after the Belfast Agreement. NYU Irish Studies Summer School.
O'Connell, D. (2002) Human Rights in the Republic of Ireland after the Belfast Agreement. NYU Irish Studies Summer School. Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2002) The Politics of Asylum and Immigration in Ireland: Justice Delayed or Injustice Expedited?. Merriman Summer School.
O'Connell, D. (2002) The Politics of Asylum and Immigration in Ireland: Justice Delayed or Injustice Expedited?. Merriman Summer School. Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2001) Ireland and the ECHR and ICCPR. San Diego Law School Summer School Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (2001) Ireland and the ECHR and ICCPR. San Diego Law School Summer School Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(2001) Irish Equality Legislation: A Critical Overview. Public Lecture Equality Studies Centre.
O'Connell, D. (2001) Irish Equality Legislation: A Critical Overview. Public Lecture Equality Studies Centre. University College Dublin: Conference Paper [Details]
(2001) Ireland and its International Human Rights Obligations. Annual NGO Forum hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
O'Connell, D. (2001) Ireland and its International Human Rights Obligations. Annual NGO Forum hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2000) Respondent to paper on minority rights. 10th Anniversary Conference of the Equality Studies Centre.
O'Connell, D, Connelly, A. (2000) Respondent to paper on minority rights. 10th Anniversary Conference of the Equality Studies Centre. UCD: Conference Paper [Details]
(2000) The Right to Dignity at Work: Harassment and Bullying under New Equality Legislation. public lecture Equality Committee.
O'Connell, D. (2000) The Right to Dignity at Work: Harassment and Bullying under New Equality Legislation. public lecture Equality Committee. NUI Galway: Conference Paper [Details]
(2000) Legal Protections Against Racism in Ireland. Preparatory Conference for the UN World Conference on Racism Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter-Culturalism (NCCRI).
O'Connell, D. (2000) Legal Protections Against Racism in Ireland. Preparatory Conference for the UN World Conference on Racism Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Inter-Culturalism (NCCRI). Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2000) Protecting and Developing Human Rights on the Island of Ireland in an International Context. Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of First Minister for Northern Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (2000) Protecting and Developing Human Rights on the Island of Ireland in an International Context. Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of First Minister for Northern Ireland. Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(2000) The Incorporation of the ECHR into Irish Law. Symposium Irish Centre for Human Rights.
O'Connell, D. (2000) The Incorporation of the ECHR into Irish Law. Symposium Irish Centre for Human Rights. NUI Galway: Conference Paper [Details]
(1999) The Human Rights Commission Bill: A Critical Perspective. Annual Conference of the Political Science Association of Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (1999) The Human Rights Commission Bill: A Critical Perspective. Annual Conference of the Political Science Association of Ireland. Wexford, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(1999) Emergency Legislation in Ireland, 1939-1998. Institute of Commonwealth Studies/ Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Emergency Legislation in Ireland, 1939-1998. Institute of Commonwealth Studies/ Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. University of London London, UK: Conference Paper [Details]
(1999) Eurosolutions to Irish Problems. Burren Law School.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Eurosolutions to Irish Problems. Burren Law School. Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(1999) Freedoms: the interaction between the Irish Constitution and the ECHR. Office of the Attorney General for legal staff of the civil service in anticipation of legislation to incorporate the ECHR into Irish law Government Buildings.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Freedoms: the interaction between the Irish Constitution and the ECHR. Office of the Attorney General for legal staff of the civil service in anticipation of legislation to incorporate the ECHR into Irish law Government Buildings. Dublin, Ireland: Conference Paper [Details]
(1998) Ireland and the Strasbourg Court. Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and the Committee on the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland (CAJ), Law Society of Ireland Dublin, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (1998) Ireland and the Strasbourg Court. Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and the Committee on the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland (CAJ), Law Society of Ireland Dublin, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(1998) The Domestic Legal Status of the ECHR and its Relevance in Refugee Cases. Irish Refugee Council in association with the Council of Europe Dublin, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (1998) The Domestic Legal Status of the ECHR and its Relevance in Refugee Cases. Irish Refugee Council in association with the Council of Europe Dublin, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(1998) The Concept of 'Reasonable Accommodation' in Irish Anti-Discrimination Legislation. International Conference on Comparative Non-Discrimination Law University of Utrecht (assisted by the Millennium Fund, NUIG).
O'Connell, D. (1998) The Concept of 'Reasonable Accommodation' in Irish Anti-Discrimination Legislation. International Conference on Comparative Non-Discrimination Law University of Utrecht (assisted by the Millennium Fund, NUIG). The Netherlands: Conference Paper [Details]
(1995) The Republic of Ireland and the European Court of Human Rights. Department of Law, UCC in association with the Council of Europe University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (1995) The Republic of Ireland and the European Court of Human Rights. Department of Law, UCC in association with the Council of Europe University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]
(1993) Irish Cases Before the European Commission and Court of Human Rights. Irish Centre for the Study of Human Rights, UCG in association with the Council of Europe, University College Galway University College Galway, Galway, Ireland.
O'Connell, D. (1993) Irish Cases Before the European Commission and Court of Human Rights. Irish Centre for the Study of Human Rights, UCG in association with the Council of Europe, University College Galway University College Galway, Galway, Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]

Guest Lectures

  Year Publication
(2010) “Ireland and the ECHR: Waiting for Impact from Sub-Constitutional Incorporation”, guest lecture at Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law, University of Edinburgh.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “Ireland and the ECHR: Waiting for Impact from Sub-Constitutional Incorporation”, guest lecture at Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law, University of Edinburgh. Guest Lectures [Details]

Invited papers

  Year Publication
(2010) “Human Rights in Europe and EU Accession to the ECHR”, invited contribution at Atlantic Council-Chatham House Transatlantic Dialogue on International Law, Chatham House, London.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “Human Rights in Europe and EU Accession to the ECHR”, invited contribution at Atlantic Council-Chatham House Transatlantic Dialogue on International Law, Chatham House, London. Invited papers [Details]

Media

  Year Publication
(2013) Regular contributor, as Ireland Correspondent, to International Survey section of the refereed journal, Public Law.
O'Connel, D. (2013) Regular contributor, as Ireland Correspondent, to International Survey section of the refereed journal, Public Law. Media [Details]
(2012) “Constitutional Convention – a missed opportunity for radical appraisal by citizens”, Galway Advertiser.
O'Connell, D. (2012) “Constitutional Convention – a missed opportunity for radical appraisal by citizens”, Galway Advertiser. Media [Details]
(2012) “Universities no longer encourage intellectualism”, Village Magazine.
O'Connell, D. (2012) “Universities no longer encourage intellectualism”, Village Magazine. Media [Details]
(2012) “Too much compromise in planned Constitutional Convention”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page).
O'Connel, D. (2012) “Too much compromise in planned Constitutional Convention”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page). Media [Details]
(2012) “Constitution could benefit from radical reappraisal”, The Irish Times.
O'Connell, D. (2012) “Constitution could benefit from radical reappraisal”, The Irish Times. Media [Details]
(2011) “Our Ford Cortina Constitution”, Village Magazine.
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Our Ford Cortina Constitution”, Village Magazine. Media [Details]
(2011) “Constitutional protection needed for statutory inquiry bodies”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page).
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Constitutional protection needed for statutory inquiry bodies”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page). Media [Details]
(2011) “Rights body should have bigger impact”, The Irish Times.
O'Connell, D. (with Ursula Kilkelly) (2011) “Rights body should have bigger impact”, The Irish Times. Media [Details]
(2011) “Constitutional reform may best be achieved over time”, The Irish Times.
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Constitutional reform may best be achieved over time”, The Irish Times. Media [Details]
(2011) “Balance of public interest and rights still unresolved”, The Irish Times.
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Balance of public interest and rights still unresolved”, The Irish Times. Media [Details]
(2011) Proposed inquiry amendment needs careful scrutiny”, The Irish Times.
O'Connell, D. (2011) Proposed inquiry amendment needs careful scrutiny”, The Irish Times. Media [Details]
(2010) “The European Convention on Human Rights is 60 next week”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page).
O'Connell, D. (2010) “The European Convention on Human Rights is 60 next week”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page). Media [Details]
(2010) “The human rights struggle is both a political and a legal one”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page).
O'Connell, D. (2010) “The human rights struggle is both a political and a legal one”, The Irish Times (Law Matters page). Media [Details]
(2010) “Politics often doesn’t protect rights”, Village Magazine.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “Politics often doesn’t protect rights”, Village Magazine. Media [Details]
(2009) Too Much to Ask? . The Irish Examiner.
O'Connell, D. (2009) Too Much to Ask? . The Irish Examiner. Media [Details]
(2009) “No ‘ladies’ need apply”, Village Magazine.
O'Connell, D. (2009) “No ‘ladies’ need apply”, Village Magazine. Media [Details]
(2009) Balance of powers as important as their separation. The National Post.
O'Connell, D. (2009) Balance of powers as important as their separation. The National Post. Media [Details]
(2008) Merger of statutory bodies may achieve the required savings - but at what price?. Hope Magazine.
O'Connell, D. (2008) Merger of statutory bodies may achieve the required savings - but at what price?. Hope Magazine. Media [Details]
(2007) Reclaiming rights: a modest proposal. Inroads.
O'Connell, D. (2007) Reclaiming rights: a modest proposal. Inroads. Media [Details]
(2007) Dark heart of opportunism lies behind McDowell's proposals. The Ottawa Citizen.
O'Connell, D. (2007) Dark heart of opportunism lies behind McDowell's proposals. The Ottawa Citizen. Media [Details]
(2006) Irish judges can no longer ignore European human rights law. Irish Red Cross Review.
O'Connell, D. (2006) Irish judges can no longer ignore European human rights law. Irish Red Cross Review. Media [Details]
(2005) The politics of the judiciary. Human Rights Issues in the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, Toronto: Hellenic Canadian Federation of Ontario.
O'Connell, D. (2005) The politics of the judiciary. Human Rights Issues in the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, Toronto: Hellenic Canadian Federation of Ontario. Media [Details]
(2005) Case for a second non-jury court needs to be explained. Searching for the Truth[in Khmer].
O'Connell, D. (2005) Case for a second non-jury court needs to be explained. Searching for the Truth[in Khmer]. Media [Details]
(2005) Bridging the gap between ideas and action. Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens.
O'Connell, D. (2005) Bridging the gap between ideas and action. Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens. Media [Details]
(2004) Strasbourg is resolved to stay out of abortion debate. The Lawyers Weekly.
O'Connell, D. (2004) Strasbourg is resolved to stay out of abortion debate. The Lawyers Weekly. Media [Details]
(2004) Murray's challenge. Human Rights Tribune.
O'Connell, D. (2004) Murray's challenge. Human Rights Tribune. Media [Details]
(2004) A failure of Dail, not courts. 14 Interights Bulletin.
O'Connell, D. (2004) A failure of Dail, not courts. 14 Interights Bulletin. Media [Details]
(2004) Judging the judges. The Advocate.
O'Connell, D. (2004) Judging the judges. The Advocate. Media [Details]
(2004) The case for urgent constitutional reform has simply not been made. No War, Tokyo [in Japanese].
O'Connell, D, Smyth, C. (2004) The case for urgent constitutional reform has simply not been made. No War, Tokyo [in Japanese]. Media [Details]
(2003) DNA database would pose threat to our civil liberties. International Bar Association Committee 19 News.
O'Connell, D. (2003) DNA database would pose threat to our civil liberties. International Bar Association Committee 19 News. Media [Details]
(2003) McDowell 'radical liberal' tag is shameless bunkum. The Sunday Business Post.
O'Connell, D. (2003) McDowell 'radical liberal' tag is shameless bunkum. The Sunday Business Post. Oxford: Media [Details]
(2003) Four Human Rights Priorities. Ceide: A Review from the Margins.
O'Connell, D. (2003) Four Human Rights Priorities. Ceide: A Review from the Margins. Media [Details]
(2003) Court ruling opens a Pandora's Box of legal wranglings. The essentials of… Human Rights.
O'Connell, D. (2003) Court ruling opens a Pandora's Box of legal wranglings. The essentials of… Human Rights. Media [Details]
(2002) Music to ears of wannabes. The essentials of… Human Rights.
O'Connell, D. (2002) Music to ears of wannabes. The essentials of… Human Rights. Media [Details]
(2002) No meeting of minds on Hederman Report. The Sunday Business Post.
O'Connell, D. (2002) No meeting of minds on Hederman Report. The Sunday Business Post. Media [Details]
(2001) Reflections on Abbeylara. Ceide: A Review from the Margins.
O'Connell, D. (2001) Reflections on Abbeylara. Ceide: A Review from the Margins. Media [Details]
(2001) A Troubled Birth for the Human Rights Commission. Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Detroit etc.
O'Connell, D. (2001) A Troubled Birth for the Human Rights Commission. Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Detroit etc. Media [Details]
(2000) Taking liberties with our liberties?. Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Detroit etc.:.
O'Connell, D. (2000) Taking liberties with our liberties?. Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Detroit etc.:. Media [Details]
(2000) Bringing the European Convention on Human Rights Home at Last. Panel discussion moderated by Leila Sadat, Washington University Global Studies Law Review.
O'Connell, D. (2000) Bringing the European Convention on Human Rights Home at Last. Panel discussion moderated by Leila Sadat, Washington University Global Studies Law Review. Media [Details]
(1999) Recent Equality Legislation: Modest Advances, Serious Gaps. Saddam on Trial, Understanding and Debating the Iraqi High Tribunal.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Recent Equality Legislation: Modest Advances, Serious Gaps. Saddam on Trial, Understanding and Debating the Iraqi High Tribunal. Durham: Media [Details]
(1999) Beyond Rights, Towards Interests. Europe's World.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Beyond Rights, Towards Interests. Europe's World. Media [Details]
(1999) A New Quango for Human Rights. UN Chronicle.
O'Connell, D. (1999) A New Quango for Human Rights. UN Chronicle. Media [Details]
(1995) Strasbourg ruling not as clear-cut as first presented. Essays in Honour of Helen Fein, New York: International Association of Genocide Scholars.
O'Connell, D. (1995) Strasbourg ruling not as clear-cut as first presented. Essays in Honour of Helen Fein, New York: International Association of Genocide Scholars. Media [Details]
(1995) Symbolic day for European law should prompt review of Irish rights. Nadia Bernaz, Le droit international et la peine de mort, Paris: La documentation française.
O'Connell, D, Quinn, G. (1995) Symbolic day for European law should prompt review of Irish rights. Nadia Bernaz, Le droit international et la peine de mort, Paris: La documentation française. Media [Details]

Presented Papers

  Year Publication
(2012) “Bunreacht na hÉireann 1937: radical reform or redundant rumination?”, paper presented at Douglas Hyde conference, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
O'Connell, D. (2012) “Bunreacht na hÉireann 1937: radical reform or redundant rumination?”, paper presented at Douglas Hyde conference, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. Presented Papers [Details]
(2012) “A Broad Agenda of Reform for the Constitutional Convention”, paper presented at the MacGill Summer School, Glenties.
O'Connell, D. (2012) “A Broad Agenda of Reform for the Constitutional Convention”, paper presented at the MacGill Summer School, Glenties. Presented Papers [Details]
(2011) “Political Commitment, Practical Protection: Using the ECHR North & South”, paper presented at Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA)/Public Interest Litigation Support Project (PILS) Inaugural Annual Conference, Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin.
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Political Commitment, Practical Protection: Using the ECHR North & South”, paper presented at Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA)/Public Interest Litigation Support Project (PILS) Inaugural Annual Conference, Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin. Presented Papers [Details]
(2011) “Accountability & the Constitution”, paper presented at conference to mark 5th anniversary of LL.M in Public Law, NUI Galway.
O'Connell, D. (2011) “Accountability & the Constitution”, paper presented at conference to mark 5th anniversary of LL.M in Public Law, NUI Galway. Presented Papers [Details]

Report

  Year Publication
(2010) Thematic Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights – Ireland (EU Fundamental Rights Agency – FRALEX, 2010).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & O’Mahony) (2010) Thematic Legal Study on Mental Health and Fundamental Rights – Ireland (EU Fundamental Rights Agency – FRALEX, 2010). Report [Details]
(2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Rights of Irregular Immigrants in Voluntary and Involuntary Return Procedures – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Dewhurst) (2009) Thematic National Legal Study on Rights of Irregular Immigrants in Voluntary and Involuntary Return Procedures – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009). Report [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on Impact of Race Equality Directive, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Crowley) (2009) Thematic Legal Study on Impact of Race Equality Directive, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009). Report [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Talbot) (2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009). Report [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Access to Justice in Civil Cases in the European Union – Ireland (EU Fundamental Rights Agency – FRALEX, 2009).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Lee) (2009) Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Access to Justice in Civil Cases in the European Union – Ireland (EU Fundamental Rights Agency – FRALEX, 2009). Report [Details]
(2009) Thematic Legal Study on National Human Rights Institutions and Human Rights Organisations – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Talbot) (2009) Thematic Legal Study on National Human Rights Institutions and Human Rights Organisations – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Report [Details]
(2008) Thematic Study on Child Trafficking – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna, Griffin & Crowe) (2008) Thematic Study on Child Trafficking – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Report [Details]
(2008) Thematic Legal Study on Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008).
O'Connell, D. (with Kenna & Griffin) (2008) Thematic Legal Study on Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Report [Details]
(2006) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2005 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2006).
O'Connell, D. (2006) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2005 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2006). Report [Details]
(2005) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2004 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2005).
O'Connell, D. (2005) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2004 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2005). Report [Details]
(2004) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2003 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2004).
O'Connell, D. (2004) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2003 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2004). Report [Details]
(2003) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2002 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2003).
O'Connell, D. (2003) Annual Report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in Ireland 2002 (EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, 2003). Report [Details]

Seminar

  Year Publication
(2010) “The incorporation of the ECHR into Irish law: an assessment after six years”, guest staff and post-graduate seminar at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Essex, Colchester.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “The incorporation of the ECHR into Irish law: an assessment after six years”, guest staff and post-graduate seminar at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Essex, Colchester. Seminar [Details]
(2010) “The incorporation of the ECHR into Irish law and the constitutional defence of ‘here’s one prepared earlier’”, guest seminar at the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, LSE.
O'Connell, D. (2010) “The incorporation of the ECHR into Irish law and the constitutional defence of ‘here’s one prepared earlier’”, guest seminar at the Centre for the Study of Human Rights, LSE. Seminar [Details]

Workshops

  Year Publication
(1999) Abortion and the Judicial Process in Ireland. Irish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Abortion and the Judicial Process in Ireland. Irish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA. Boston College, USA: Workshops [Details]
(1999) Popular Sovereignty, Constitutional Change and Referendum Fatigue: Recent Irish Experiences. GuIrish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Popular Sovereignty, Constitutional Change and Referendum Fatigue: Recent Irish Experiences. GuIrish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA. Boston College, USA: Workshops [Details]
(1999) The Notional Irish Nation post-Belfast Agreement: From Constitutional Imperative to Constitutional Fudge?. Irish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA.
O'Connell, D. (1999) The Notional Irish Nation post-Belfast Agreement: From Constitutional Imperative to Constitutional Fudge?. Irish Studies Institute, Connolly House, Boston College, USA. Boston College, USA: Workshops [Details]
(1999) Problems with the Contractual Basis of the Employment Relationship: The Case of Irish Employment Equality Law. Montana State University, USA.
O'Connell, D. (1999) Problems with the Contractual Basis of the Employment Relationship: The Case of Irish Employment Equality Law. Montana State University, USA. Workshops [Details]

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Legal Aid Board Member /
Law Reform Commission Part-time Commissioner /

Teaching Interests

Donncha O'Connell currently teaches European Human Rights to under-graduate students. He also teaches Advocacy, Activism & Public Interest Law and Processes of Law Reform on the LL.M in Public Law.

In the past he has taught Constitutional Law, Labour Law, Legal Systems and Legal Process.

He has also taught Human Rights at the Law School and Social Studies Department, TCD as well as teaching a module on Equality Law on the Masters in Equality Studies, UCD.