Civic award for crusading Cork journalist

Crusading Evening Echo journalist Deirdre O’Reilly, who is recovering after a devastating stroke, is among several leading figures who will be honoured by Cork’s Lord Mayor tonight.

Deirdre, whose work with the Echo’s annual Christmas appeal over the last 15 years helped raise €1m for Cork charities, is among six people who will receive a special civic award at the mayor’s annual community and voluntary awards ceremony which takes place in City Hall this evening.

Deirdre, a mother of two young girls, is undergoing intensive rehabilitation in Dublin following her life-changing stroke just days before Christmas.