Press

11 September 2011

Rory McIlroy Named Sports Person of the Year Late Police Constable Ronan Kerr Honoured Ireland Cricket Team Recognised for International Success Skerries Celebrated for Tireless Community Spirit

1. Rory McIlroy, from Holywood, Co. Down, had a special year in 2011 after a record-breaking victory at the US Open Golf Championship in June. Following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Graeme McDowell, a winner of a People of the Year Award in 2010, McIlroy recorded a score of 16-under-par – an eight-shot victory – landing the title to become the Open’s youngest winner since 1923 and tying or breaking 12 Open records in the process. Celebrating his win, Rory turned to his father Gerry McIlroy and commented “Happy Father’s Day, this one’s for you” and the world knew that this was the moment the McIlroys had been waiting for all their lives. Tipped as the next superstar in international golf, Rory McIlroy received the Sports Person of the Year award.

2. The Ireland cricket team enjoyed a year of outstanding achievement, bringing success to these shores never previously enjoyed by Irish cricketers. Usually a game associated with England, Pakistan or India, the team proved at the Cricket World Cup earlier this year that passion and determination can overcome even the greatest odds. Following a phenomenal victory against England and the quickest century ever achieved at the tournament, the outstanding performances of the national team caused the country to go cricket crazy. For being proud ambassadors for Ireland and for showing courage and unfaltering determination under pressure, members of the team, including coach Phil Simmons and inspirational players John Mooney and Kevin O’Brien, were presented with a People of the Year Award by legendary Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, Packie Bonner.

3. Police Constable Ronan Kerr was posthumously awarded a People of the Year Award for his work with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Ronan Kerr tragically lost his life at the young age of 25, after a car bomb went off outside his home in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, on 2 April. Ronan’s death spurred an outcry with political, religious and sporting figures uniting to condemn the killing, vowing that the perpetrators would not succeed in bringing Northern Ireland back to its violent past against the wishes of the people. GAA players and officials stood side by side with police officers at his funeral, helping each other to carry his coffin to the church. For the enormous bravery and commitment he showed in both his community and in his service to the PSNI, Ronan Kerr was posthumously awarded a People of the Year Award. His mother Nuala accepted the Award which was presented by RTÉ presenter Miriam O’Callaghan.

4. Sharon Malloy, from Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois, is the winner of the special award for 2011 – the Best Friend of the Year. Ian Lawlor nominated Sharon for this award, as a tribute to her sincere and genuine friendship and the strength she showed in helping him through his most difficult and darkest time. Ian has spent many years battling with drug addiction, and originally met Sharon on a rehabilitation programme where Sharon worked. While Sharon’s role came to an end before Ian had completed his recovery programme, she continued to be there for him, extending the true hand of friendship to a person who was in desperate need. What started out as two strangers meeting has become one of the greatest stories of friendship imaginable. Sharon was presented with her Award by Dónal Clancy, Director/General Manager, QUINN-healthcare and actress Charlene McKenna.

5. The community of Skerries, a seaside town in North Co. Dublin, rallied together in an extraordinary show of empathy and solidarity in the search for two marine engineers, Ronan Browne (26) and David Gilsenan (41), who had gone missing at sea while out fishing on 1 April. The whole town got behind the search, helping to raise €80,000 to fuel lifeboats, searching along the headland on foot and, in a special show of support for the families, undertaking a “walk of solidarity” which 10,000 people participated in – extraordinary for a town with a population of 11,000. The bodies of the two men were finally recovered off the Co. Louth coast on 9 April. For showing the power of community spirit in the face of immense tragedy, and for providing unstintingly generous support to the two families affected, the community of Skerries was presented with the Community of the Year award. The award was presented by RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy and accepted on behalf of the community by Martin Scully, President Skerries Chamber of Commerce and Ollie Grimes, Secretary Skerries Chamber of Commerce.

6. Edith Wilkins is this year’s International Person of the Year for her compassion, selflessness and unfaltering commitment to improving the lives of the people of India. A nurse by profession, Edith worked in conjunction with Mother Teresa in her early years and since arriving in India in 1982 has undertaken several pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation to provide a safe haven for street children, child labourers and those who have fallen victim to child trafficking, through the provision of night shelters and halfway houses. Edith has also opened outreach clinics and drop-in centres in the slum colonies, providing free nutrition, medication, counselling and basic education to children. Over the years Edith has fostered 20 children, and in September 2010 she returned to live in Cork with her Indian-born children Omer (18) and Karishma (10), where she continues her work for the Foundation. Edith was presented with her Award by horticulturalist and television personality, Diarmuid Gavin.

7. Joan Freeman received a People of the Year Award for her commitment and dedication to the prevention of suicide and self-harm. Having seen a gap in services, Joan was inspired to close her own counselling business and put her home on the line to create the first Pieta House in Lucan in 2006. The only service of its kind in Ireland, it provides counselling, support and advice for those who are actively suicidal, who may be contemplating suicide, or who self-harm. A psychologist by profession, and author of Cover Up: Understanding Self-Harm, Joan wanted a service that embraces the broken lives of people in our community and that would be strong enough to help the most vulnerable. From humble beginnings, today Pieta House boasts five centres in Dublin and Limerick with over 60 staff, and is a real source of hope for those who pass through its doors. The Award was presented by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.

8. For her caring spirit and quiet determination, making her a positive role model for everyone in the community, this year’s recipient of the Young Person of the Year is 18-year-old Jackie Kelly, from the village of Templetuohy in Co. Tipperary. Jackie’s mother Mary was diagnosed with cancer in June 2009. Just 16 years old, Jackie was determined to continue supporting her mum, and dad, at home during this very difficult time, while also doing what she could to pursue her schooling. Indeed, on one morning in December 2009, Jackie was on hand to perform vital CPR on her mother after she had collapsed in the house and a pulse couldn’t be found. In total Jackie missed around 50 per cent of the school year, but through sheer drive and determination, collecting notes from her teachers, asking for extra homework, and communicating with the school by post, email and text message, she passed her Leaving Certificate with flying colours. Mary is now doing well and Jackie has just completed her first year in Business Studies and French at Limerick Institute of Technology in Thurles. X Factor sensation, Mary Byrne presented the Award.

9. AJ McCullough wins a People of the Year Award for his brave and courageous rescue of Emily Attah and her three sons – Bennett, Roy and Adam – when their car plunged into the Boyne Canal in Drogheda one afternoon in December 2010. At the time unprecedented snowfall and icy conditions meant extremely hazardous driving conditions. AJ was travelling with his family when he spotted Emily’s vehicle which had skidded onto the freezing ice that had formed on the canal. With water already entering the car, and hearing screams of panic from inside, AJ wasted no time in getting all four members of the family out of danger. Emily commends AJ for his heroic efforts and says “even while he was getting us out you could hear the ice cracking. He took the risk. He did not think about his own life. AJ is a brave boy with a good heart”. The Award was presented by Ireland rugby international, Shane Horgan.

10. Tall Ships Festival Waterford 2011 received a People of the Year Award for the enormous voluntary and community effort which led to a hugely successful festival. The event, with the support of organisations in the public and private sectors, saw a fleet of 50 ships sail into Waterford Quays, and a festival of culture, craft and cuisine was put on to celebrate. A number of cultural venues held a range of educational events and exhibitions, while top names in local, national and international music played across the city. An estimated 500,000 people visited over the course of the festival and it is estimated that the event generated some €30 million in economic activity for the region. However, this could not have happened without the more than 500 volunteers who stepped forward to offer support, taking great pride in their home county and its nautical heritage. The award was accepted by Des Whelan, Chairman, Tall Ships Festival Waterford 2011 and Cllr Pat Hayes, Mayor of Waterford, and presented by Angela Kerins, Chief Executive of Rehab and Chairperson of the Adjudication Committee.

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