A well-known anti-war campaigner and Áosdana member has returned her honorary doctorate to University of Galway – in protest at its links to Israel.

Margaretta D’Arcy was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the university in November 2022. But the 91-year-old activist confirmed to the Connacht Tribune she handed back the honorary degree in recent days.

In what she called a “de-conferring”, Ms D’Arcy returned all accoutrements related to the honour, including ceremonial garments and scroll, to a university security guard.

Ms D’Arcy is waiting for clarification about an official ceremony to mark her relinquishing of the honorary title.

She was due to meet the new President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, this week, as part of a group from Campus Anti-Genocide Coalition pushing for him to break ties with Technion.

University of Galway remains involved in a research project with Technion Institute of Technology with links to the Israeli Defence Forces.

It has insisted that it has contractual obligations to continue its involvement with the project, but Ms D’Arcy said it must find a way out.

“They should break the contract because Technion is crucial to the infrastructure, security, and economy” of Israel, she said.

“We do not support the infrastructure security which is necessary to commit genocide in Gaza,” she added.

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