Campaigner Geldof gets special honour from RCSI

HUMAN rights campaigner and rock star Bob Geldof, was yesterday conferred with an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in recognition of his contribution to charity and efforts in tackling world poverty.

Geldof was chosen in recognition of his efforts to cancel Third World debt and improve government responses to poverty, famine and genocide.

The conferring was followed by the seventh Annual Leadership Lecture, delivered by Geldof, in which he spoke of the responsibility of leaders and the need to be true to the promises that are made by the powerful to the weak.

RCSI chief executive Michael Horgan described Geldof’s contribution to charity and humanitarian affairs as outstanding. “He has shown his leadership giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, poet Thomas Kinsella and artist Louis le Brocquy were last night bestowed with honorary freedom of the City of Dublin.

The men were honoured as a tribute to their artistic prowess.

Bono, who has helped bring worldwide attention to medical and economic problems in Africa, will receive this year’s Liberty Medal. The annual award given by the National Constitution Centre honours will be made at a ceremony in September.