‘Voice of elderly’ Cork Person of Year

A MAN who has crusaded tirelessly for the elderly for over six decades was yesterday named the Cork Person of the Year for 2010.

Paddy O’Brien, 72, who is also the driving force behind the hugely popular Over 60s competition, one of the largest talent shows for the elderly, said he was stunned and humbled by the honour.

“Loneliness is still a huge problem among the elderly and that is one reason why I continue to run the Over 60s Show in communities all over the city and county, for the past 34 years,” he said.

Mr O’Brien, who was joined by his sons, Ronan and Brian, and daughter-in-law, Susan, for a gala awards lunch at the Fota Island Hotel and Spa, told guests that he became a voluntary social worker in 1953, when as a 14-year-old, he took a summer job as a “messenger boy”, and came across extreme poverty in inner city areas.

He began running errands for elderly people and later started organising social events. Support services were almost non-existent and Paddy became the voice of the elderly in Cork.

Over the past six decades he has led many campaigns for the elderly, which have led to the delivery of subsidised heating, improved access to medical care, improved housing, and extra social welfare entitlements.

But Mr O’Brien said while vast improvements have been made over the years, loneliness remains a huge problem.

“Loneliness is a disease, and I appeal to individuals and organisations to keep in touch with elderly people, be they your own family, friends or neighbours. That is my central message all my life, and we still need improvements in this area,” he said.

The judging panel, which includes Bishop John Buckley, county manager Martin Riordan and city manager Tim Lucey, said the Person of the Year title was a fitting reward for Mr O’Brien’s lifetime’s work and passion for the care of the elderly in Cork.

“Paddy O’Brien has made it uncomfortable for local and national politicians all his life, and his great skill was in keeping the needs of the elderly and the poor on the public agenda.

For that alone he deserves this award recognition and thanks,” said Brian Crowley MEP who was joint master of ceremonies, with RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan.

Mr O’Brien is now retired as regional manager of the Irish Heart Foundation but the Over 60s event continues to raise money for the organisation.

He also paid tribute to the other nominees, including GAA star Donal Óg Cusack; mental health campaigner John McCarthy; Pioneer Total Abstinence advocate Tadgh Kelleher; Haven charity founder Leslie Buckley; former GAA star Seanie O’Leary and his Munster and Ireland rugby star son Tomas; community worker Patricia Calnan; artist Kevin Sanquest; GAA star Daniel Goulding; community worker Kay O’Mahony; broadcaster Graham Norton, and singer songwriter Jimmy MacCarthy.

The guest of honour was Hollywood film legend, Maureen O’Hara, 92, who was named the Cork Person of the Month for this month, to mark her establishment of the Maureen O’Hara Foundation and Legacy Centre in Glengarriff.

Ms O’Hara, 92, told guests she hopes the centre will help young people study the art of theatre and film, and attract tourists from all over the world, especially from the US.

This is the 18th year of Cork Person of the Year award, which is organised by Manus O’Callaghan and sponsored by the Irish Examiner, RTÉ and Southern Advertising.

Among the guests were Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu; RTÉ’s commercial director Geraldine O’Leary; John Creedon; Ger Canning and Paschal Sheehy; sports personalities Donal O’Grady, Donal Lenihan and Frankie Sheehan; Bishop Paul Colton; Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan; TCH’s Alan Crosbie; developer Micheal O’Flynn; Cork Chamber’s Ger O’Mahony and Adi Roche.