Donegal Town's Dr Niall Muldoon awarded a UCD honorary doctorate

Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children (OCO), Dr Niall Muldoon from Donegal Town, has been awarded a UCD honorary doctorate in recognition of a lengthy career spent championing children’s rights.

A clinical psychologist with nearly 20 years’ experience in child protection, Dr Muldoon holds a PhD from the UCD School of Psychology, where his research focused on psychotherapy for sexual offenders.

Throughout his tenure as OCO, he has championed the rights and needs of children, focusing on issues such as access to health services, family justice reform, and school places for children with special needs.

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His office is calling for the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Irish law, with Dr Muldoon describing this as “the most important thing we can do to protect and safeguard the rights of all children in Ireland”.

He said: "I'm so proud that I have been able to contribute to society in some way that it was felt was worth an honour, and I really am really chuffed by it and humbled by it. I'm not sure if I'm the right man to give advice, but as well all I would say is listen, just keep trying to do your best and keep trying to improve. That's all I've ever done was try and each year look and say, what else can I do better here? Can I improve on something? Can I learn something new? Can I do something differently? And I think that's the way forward, you know, just enjoy your journey that way."

“Dr Muldoon has collaborated with and learned from colleagues across the discipline and has long valued the work of professional bodies and continuing education that keep practice rigorous and current,” said Professor Louise McHugh from the UCD School of Psychology, reading his official citation at the ceremony.

“His career offers our graduating students a powerful example. You do not need to map every step in advance. If you commit to integrity, service, and the person in front of you, you can shape systems as well as lives.”