We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
CORK TEENAGER JOANNE O’Riordan has described it as “a fantastic day” after she secured a scholarship to do the course she wants at University College Cork.
Joanne, who was born without arms and legs, will begin a degree in criminology at UCC in the autumn after she received her Leaving Cert results today.
“I’ve always been interested in crime and how a criminal behaves,” she said. “I like the idea of trying to get into a criminal’s mind and hopefully try to understand them and why they commit the crimes they commit”.
She will live on campus at UCC as part of the Quercus scholarship, which acknowledges the work by students within the community. The university has transformed the apartment where Joanne will live throughout the three years that she is there.
“They [UCC] have gone the extra mile in adapting the house I will live in,” said Joanne. “They are making the environment in which I will study more accessible”.
The 18-year-old from Millstreet in Cork is one of just seven in the world who have Total Amelia, the rare condition which left her without limbs. She came to prominence after she delivered a keynote speech at a United Nations conference in New York in which she spoke of the difference technology had made in her life.
Joanne’s parents said they were incredibly proud of their daughter and everything she had achieved.
“When Joanne sets her mind to doing something she does it,” said her father, Joe O’Riordan. “As a father I’m so proud of her simply because the start she had in life was difficult but we have jumped those hurdles and this is what has happened”.
Her mother Ann said that “while over the years we’ve had to fight to get her certain things to help her, the fight has been worth it”.
“What UCC have offered me is simply unbelievable,” said Joanne. “I have always wanted to show people that irrespective of your disability or background, you can achieve the best in life if you set your mind to it”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Such an inspiration to one and all. Well done Joanne!
What a great country this would be if we were all like Joanne , so young so positive ,so courageous , she is unstoppable , there’s a bright future ahead Joanne ,,
Joanne you are an inspiration to us all, well done and good luck to the future as you deserve it.
Totally agree! What a fantastic positive spirit. Saw Joanne on TV news this evening and just thought what a spirited individual! Well done, Joanne!!!
An inspiration to all young and old :-) well done Joanne x
Well done to her. What a remarkable young woman. Best wishes.
Great girl – good news story! Well deserved.
You cannot beat a good heart warming story. Well done. Trolls, dont bother
What an inspirational young woman, well done Joanne :)
Great to read something positive
Well done Joanne. Your bubbly personality & positivity is an inspiration to us all. Best of luck in your college course.
Good on you ,
What a winner, go girl!
It’s just great, well done to you and UCC
Congrats. What an incredible human being. Puts most to shame. Its amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind too it. Add to that the adversity and challenges she has faced and she still managed to come out on top and smiling. Im pretty sure she will get what ever she wants from life. Again congratulations but to be honest Im not surprised in the least with this achievement and Im certain she will achieve much much more.
Any chance youd consider Enda Kennys job?
What eegits red thumb those very valid comments???
Why do eejits like you refer to them? Either way a great story, hope she goes far.
Well done to Joanne. She is an amazing young woman in all respects.
Congrats to Joanne, what an inspiration for all people, young & old. If we had a few more people like her around this little country might just be a better place at times.
As long as we have great people like Joanne supporting us, we’ll never fall too far behind. A true Irish woman.
Congrats Joanne. UR just fab. A rebel alright. See you Sunday and hopefully you will inspire Cork!!. Best of luck in college and enjoy it all. Oh and remember to thank you old school teachers, for the time off you had for speeches. Lol. UR some lassie.,xx
Please tell us how well she did, I’m sure she has 500 hundred points plus?
#Dorothy sure that girl is top of the country, never mind her points. She is outstanding fabulous beautiful and intelligent. Gowan the Rebel
have your say