Hamilton Building Security officer Mick Byrne was awarded with lifetime Honorary Membership of Trinity College Dublin Student’s Union (TCDSU/AMLCT) at this week’s Comhairle along with three other honourees. All four honorary memberships were granted by the Union through four separate motions which all passed with an overwhelming majority.
The Honorary Membership is granted by the TCDSU to four people every year for long-term and commendable support of the student body. Notable past honourees include Irish humanitarian Sean Binder and former TCDSU president László Molnárfi.
This year’s recipients were all praised for their support of Union members. Martin McAndrew, a Postgraduate Student Support Officer, was similarly honoured for his assistance of members through his work on college policy and his countless important contributions. McAndrew was especially praised by Ents officer Orla Norton, who proposed the motion, and Education Officer Buster Whaley, for his “unwavering support” of the two officers in their work on postgraduate casework. Norton said that McAndrew had been „such an awesome help“. McAndrew was present to accept the award, along with a large bouquet of flowers. He thanked the audience upon reception of the flowers.
Mick Byrne, a Hamilton Building Security Officer and Attendant Supervisor, who has served Trinity for over twenty years, was honoured by the Union for the “support, respect and kindness” he has shown towards all Student Union matters. Byrne was commended for the solidarity and respect he showed for the Union, particularly his respect for the Chair of the Electoral Commission and Sabbatical Officers. Union members also applauded Byrne for his help in setting up polling stations, emergency Comhairles and tables for campaigns, as well as the kindness he has shown to so many students. Buster Whaley, who proposed the motion, called Byrne a “friendly face on campus” and “a positive force in the Hamilton“, which “deserves recognition”. The motion passed unanimously and Byrne happily accepted his flowers and award.
Following Byrne, Rachel Skelly, the Dignity, Respect and Consent Response Manager at TCD was honoured by the Union with membership. Skelly was commended for her consistent and invaluable support to various Welfare and Equality Officers over the years. Comhairle applauded Skelly for her ongoing work ethic in the area of consent services and her “tireless work” to improve them. Skelly could not be present to accept her award, however, was highly praised in a speech by Deirdre Leahy.
An Education and Training Officer at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was also awarded with lifetime membership. Aoife Grimes, a Trinity alum and former Gender Equality officer, was recognised by the Union for her efforts at the Rape Crisis Centre and her work around sexual violence, signposting, advocacy. Grimes was also applauded for the training she provided to students and part-time officers. Grace McNally, who proposed the motion, praised Grimes, saying she had „done a lot for the Union when she was in it, and also when she was out of it“. Grimes was not present to accept her award.
