Blinne Ni Ghralaigh is pictured delivering a speech at The Hague on January 11, 2024. (Screengrab/UN)

Irish barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC has been named the International Awardee of the Year at the prestigious Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards 2024, held at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

The ceremony, now in its 24th year, celebrates trailblazing women in various fields, from fashion and arts to social justice and international law.

In her acceptance speech, Ní Ghrálaigh dedicated her award to the women of Palestine, expressing solidarity with their resilience amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression.

"This award is for the women of Palestine, who will rebuild Gaza again," she said, a statement met with widespread admiration and support.

Beautiful, moving speech from Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh - dedicating her Irish Woman of the Year award to the women of Palestine “who will rebuild Gaza again” pic.twitter.com/jY5swGimWX
— Paul O’Connell - @pmpoc.bsky.social (@pmpoc) November 24, 2024

Championing justice on global stage

Ní Ghrálaigh's recognition stems from her pivotal role in international legal advocacy. As part of the South African legal team at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), she helped present a case accusing "Israel" of committing genocide in Gaza.

Her powerful closing statement at the ICJ garnered widespread acclaim, cementing her reputation as a fearless advocate for justice and human rights.

Journalist Owen Jones described it as "earth-shattering," noting that it "floored" him, while The National reported that her statement painted a powerful picture of "Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza," resonating deeply with audiences and sparking a particularly emotional response from those following the case.

The barrister's work highlights her commitment to addressing global injustices, particularly in the context of international law.

Her efforts to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and hold powerful entities accountable have been hailed as both bold and impactful.