The Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth honoured the dedication and service of the Irish International Development Agency, Trócaire. it was received by former executive director Éamonn Meehan, on behalf of the whole Trócaire organisation.

This honorary Doctorate was granted to Trócaire in recognition of its continuing work for justice and peace in the developing world. Trócaire was established in 1973 and is the overseas development agency of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Caoimhe de Barra is the current chief executive of Trócaire. Caoimhe was appointed in October 2018. Bishop William Crean, Bishop of Cloyne, is chairman of Trócaire.

Éamonn first joined Trócaire in 1991 as programme manager for the Southern Africa Region. In this role he managed the day-to-day running of Trócaire’s work in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 1996 he became head of the international division, responsible for Trócaire’s work overseas. This included the allocation of resources to development and humanitarian programmes and securing co-financing from the Irish government, the EU and others. In 2002 Éamonn was appointed deputy director and head of Trócaire’s Ireland division with responsibility for fundraising, marketing, communications, development education, policy and campaigns. Éamonn became executive director of Trócaire in October 2013. Originally from Kilmaley, County Clare, Éamonn holds a Masters in Education from Trinity College, Dublin. He has taught in Clane, County Kildare, Knocklyon in County Dublin and in Turkana in Kenya.