Panti Bliss named Person of the Year

Rory O’Neil (Panti Bliss) and Garda whistleblowers John Wilson and Maurice McCabe were both amongst the top winners at this year’s People of the Year awards.

Rory O’Neil (Panti Bliss) and Garda whistleblowers John Wilson and Maurice McCabe were both among the winners at this year’s People of the Year awards.

Rory received this award for his courage and defiance in fighting for freedom of expression and breaking down barrier to equality.

In full Panti attire he accpected his award from Stephen Fry who said he “would have swam over the Irish Sea” to have this chance to present Rory with the award.

“This award is not about me,” Rory said on the night.

“It’s about the movement gaining ground in the country, I just happen to shine attention on it. I’m not really that special.”

The dapper @stephenfry presenting the dazzling @PantiBliss with a #peopleoftheyear award. #legends pic.twitter.com/MvXr62REYG

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 6, 2014

Garda whistleblowers John Wilson and Maurice McCabe were awarded the honour for their bravery in speaking out to ensure that the law was upheld and that the public receive the police service that it requires.

“It’s still a great country, but gardaí are public servants, and some of them forget that,” John said receiving the award.

Other awards of the night included The Society of St Vincent de Paul winning the Community Group of the Year Award and 17-year-old Owen Condon won the Everyday Hero Award in association with the Nicky Byrne Show on RTE 2FM for his role in helping to save a man who was suffering from a heart attack.

. @NickyByrne & @djjennygreene with the @nbshow2fm Everyday Hero of the year Owen Condon at the #peopleoftheyear! pic.twitter.com/PRM1MEAz2j

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 6, 2014

Shane Kennedy was the recipient of a Young Person of the Year Award for dedication to the care of his baby brother Cian, who was born with a rare condition of Cri du Chat and partial Down Syndrome.

Kerry based BUMBLEance project (Mary and Tony Heffernan) were also amongst the winners for their work since establishing the Saoirse Foundation in 2010.

Read the full list of winners here.

Congrats Guys