Dublin City University has presented 2025 Alumni Awards to outstanding alumni.
Exceptional ability and leadership
The DCU Alumni Awards honour alumni who, through their exceptional ability and leadership, have achieved excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour. This year, for the first time, a pair of sisters will each receive an award – secretary general of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; Oonagh McPhillips (MA Political and Public Communication, 2010) and secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Sinéad McPhillips (LLM International Human Rights Law, 2025).
Top row, from left: Julie Connelly; Justin Kelly; DCU President Professor Dáire Keogh; Kevin McGuigan; Paula Prunty; Niamh Donnelly. Next row, from left: Sinéad McPhillips; Ann Jackson; Oonagh McPhillips; Eddie Wilson.
Other Alumni Award recipients include professional rugby player Tadhg Beirne (BA Business Studies, 2014), LGFA operations and planning manager; Paula Prunty (BSc Sport Science and Health, 2003) and former executive officer of Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education; Ann Jackson (Bachelor of Education, 1989; Diploma in Special Education, 1977).
The 2025 Alumni Award recipients represent all five faculties of study at DCU (Business School, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Education, Faculty of Science and Health and Faculty of Engineering and Computing).
The achievements of these 10 exceptional graduates were celebrated at a special ceremony in the Helix on DCU’s Glasnevin campus.
'Transform lives and societies'
DCU president Professor Dáire Keogh told the awardees: "The DCU Alumni Awards are a highlight of the university calendar. They are a celebration of the achievements and impact of our more than 120,000 graduates worldwide. The awardees exemplify the DCU values and our mission to transform lives and societies."
Ross Munnelly, director of alumni relations at DCU, said: "We are proud to see our alumni continuing to uphold Dublin City University’s strongest values. Through their meaningful work, these award recipients are building a better society for everyone. They are proven and vital leaders whose achievements and stories will continue to motivate and inspire the next generation of students at DCU."
Global automation company KUKA sponsors the Faculty of Engineering and Computing awards to CEO and Co-Founder of AI Mapit Julie Connelly (MSc Computer Applications, 1993; BSc Computer Applications, 1991) and Co-Founder and CTO of Akara Robotics, Niamh Donnelly (BEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, 2013).
EY sponsors the DCU Business School awards to Tadhg Beirne, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly (Masters in Business Administration, 2018) and CEO of Ryanair DAC, Eddie Wilson (BA Business Studies, 1986).
A full list of the 2025 DCU Alumni Awardees is below. More information on each recipient is available here.
- Tadhg Beirne (BA Business Studies, 2014), professional rugby player;
- Julie Connelly (MSc Computer Applications, 1993; BSc Computer Applications, 1991), CEO and co-founder, AI Mapit;
- Niamh Donnelly (BEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, 2013), co-founder and CTO, Akara Robotics;
- Ann Jackson (Bachelor of Education, 1989; Diploma in Special Education, 1977), former principal, former executive officer of Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education;
- Justin Kelly (Master's in Business Administration, 2018), garda commissioner, An Garda Síochána;
- Kevin McGuigan (DSc Higher Doctorate, 2013; PhD Physics, semiconductor spectroscopy, 1989), professor of medical physics, RCSI;
- Oonagh McPhillips (MA Political and Public Communication, 2010), secretary general of the Department of Justice, home affairs and migration;
- Sinéad McPhillips (LLM International Human Rights Law, 2025), secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine;
- Paula Prunty (BSc Sport Science and Health, 2003), operations and planning manager, LGFA;
- Eddie Wilson (BA Business Studies, 1986), CEO, Ryanair DAC.