On 12 January, the University of Galway made an announcement that the new library being built on campus was going to be named after the late Dr Karen Guinee, a former medicine graduate of the University of Galway.
In an Instagram post, President of University of Galway Professor David J. Burn said: “we are honouring Dr Karen Guinee not because of the tragedy that occurred, but because of the life she lived.”
Studying to become a doctor, Dr Karen Guinee died only a week before her graduation in 2006. Professor Burn stated in the post that “she is remembered as a gifted and compassionate alumna.”
The decision to name the library after Dr Guinee comes after a “significant philanthropic gift” from the Michael Guinee Charitable foundation.
In addition, the foundation is providing further support by creating a new scholarship for medical students in Dr Guinee’s memory.
The Dr Karen Guinee Library is set to overlook the Corrib river. “It is designed to enable 21st century learning and research and a place of community and engagement”, according to a statement from the University.
The Government is supporting this project with a €15 million capital grant through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) and the Higher Education Authority.
Dr Guinee came from Douglas, Co Cork and was 23 years old when she was murdered by her boyfriend in 2006. Her assailant pleaded guilty to her death and was sentenced to life in prison.
Burn also emphasised in the post that “by naming the University of Galway Library after her, we acknowledge her aspirations, her compassion and her deep commitment to helping others.”
University of Galway has continued to offer support through the charity AdVic which is an advocacy group focused on supporting families of victims of homicide. Visit www.advic.ie/contact or email info@advice.ie.
In addition, confidential staff support can be found through the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) https://www.universityofgalway.ie/human-resources/employeewellbeing/employeeassistanceser vice/
Fiona Zokou is the News Subeditor for SIN for 2025. She is a final year Human Rights, History and Politics student at University of Galway. Fiona is from Massachusetts, USA and has been writing for SIN since 2023.