Library to be named in memory of murdered Cork woman 

A new library at the University of Galway is set to be named after “bright, kind, loving and caring” Cork doctor Karen Guinee, 23, who was murdered a week before her graduation.

Ms Guinee, who was from Douglas in Cork city, studied at the university for six years from 2000 to 2006.

She had newly qualified as a doctor when she was killed by her boyfriend Patrick “Pa” Hogan, 27, in June 2006. 

She died just days before her 24th birthday and also never got to attend her conferring.

Mr Hogan of Griffin Avenue, Galway, was given a life sentence at the Central Criminal Court in March of 2008 after he admitted murdering Ms Guinee at his address some time between June 11th and June 12th, 2006.

The Guinee family said that they are “so proud” of the decision to name the new university library in memory of Karen.

“Karen was tragically taken from us almost 20 years ago, a week away from her graduation as a doctor. Her death has left a void and placed an unspeakable trauma on us all as a family.

"Karen was so terrifically bright, kind, loving and caring. We miss her everyday and her loss in this world is felt by everyone who knew her."

The Dr Karen Guinee Library will serve as a living tribute to Karen. 

For us as a family, it will give a deeper meaning to her absence.

“During Karen’s six years studying medicine in University of Galway, the Library would have become a second home – one where she would have spent countless hours with friends, sharing knowledge and enriching herself with ideas and plans for her future career.

"As a family, we hope that every student will carry Karen’s memory forward, in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility that Karen undoubtedly would have loved. Karen’s life was cut short, but her legacy lives on.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michael Guinee, Karen’s uncle and godfather, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, and all those involved at University of Galway.” 

Dr Michael Guinee, Chairman of the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, said that as the first person in her family to go to university, Karen carried with her the dreams and hopes of her family.

“Her passing was a profound loss to me as her godfather and to her family, friends, and the community she had already begun to serve with such care and dedication.

"By naming the new University of Galway Library in her name, it is my hope that we can honour her memory, and inspire future generations of students to a career of excellence, dedication and service."

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, paid tribute to the Guinee family, and the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation.

“We are honouring Dr Karen Guinee not because of the tragedy that occurred, but because of the life she lived. By naming the University of Galway Library after her, we acknowledge her aspirations, her compassion and her deep commitment to helping others.

"In doing so, we send a message about the safe, respectful and inclusive University we strive for and the type of community and society we work to uphold.

“The Dr Karen Guinee Library is more than a building; it is a legacy. It will be a place of study and discovery, but also a place of resilience, and hope.” 

Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said that the library will stand as a place of learning and research, inspiration and innovation, collaboration and quiet reflection.

The announcement of the Dr Karen Guinee Library follows a significant philanthropic gift from the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, which is also supporting the establishment of a scholarship for medical students.

The library is currently under construction in the centre of the Galway city campus.

The landmark development overlooks the Corrib and is visible from the Newcastle Road area and the Quincentenary Bridge. A stand-out feature is that the ground floor will be open to the general public.

The new building spans approximately 10,000m2 and will range in height from four to six storeys, with 2,244 study spaces.

The building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library at University of Galway is also supported by Government with a €15 million capital grant through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Additional philanthropic support for the building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library has been generously provided by a group of lead alumni and other individual donors, and by corporate supporters including CBE and Anthony Ryan Ltd.

Construction is expected to be completed next year.