Human rights campaigner Colm O'Gorman among those honoured by Trinity

Colm O’Gorman, with Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Linda Doyle, after he was conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Dublin at Trinity College Dublin. Picture: Maxwells

Human rights campaigner and Irish Examiner food writer  Colm O’Gorman was one of four people awarded an honorary degree from Trinity College on Friday.

Mr O’Gorman, together with managing director of the National Ploughing Championships Anna May McHugh, the first European Council president and former Belgium prime minister Herman Van Rompuy, and businessman Leonard O’Hagan received the honours from former Irish president and current Trinity College chancellor Mary McAleese.

Mr O’Gorman, who received a Doctor in Laws, is considered one of the most important figures working in human rights in Ireland over the last 50 years.

A victim of child sexual abuse, he played a pivotal role in silencing the stigma and shame surrounding male sexual assault victims.

Colm O’Gorman, who was conferred with an honorary degree. Picture: Maxwells

He was fundamental in setting up the Ferns Inquiry into sexual abuse, which identified over 100 allegations of child sexual abuse between 1962 and 2002 against 21 priests.

Mr O’Gorman played a huge role in other campaigns related to social justice and social equality including the Marriage Referendum  back in 2015.

He is currently the global director of community engagement at the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, and is a board member of the Open Community.

Leonard O’Hagan, provost Linda Doyle, Anna May McHugh, Colm O’Gorman, chancellor Mary McAleese, and Herman Van Rompuy after the conferral ceremony at Trinity College Dublin. 

Ms McHugh, who also received a Doctor in Laws, has been the managing director of the National Ploughing Championship since 1973.

The event is Europe’s largest outdoor agricultural trade exhibition, with Ms McHugh considered the the driving force behind its spectacular growth.

Aged 90, she still runs the multi-million euro operation from her home.

Leonard O’Hagan, who played a pivotal role in the public life of Northern Ireland before and after the IRA ceasefire in 1994, received a Doctor in Sciences.

Herman Van Rompuy received a Doctor in Laws.

The former prime minister of Belgium is praised for bringing political and economic stability to Belgium during the economic crisis during his reign in 2008 and 2009.