People of the Year awards: Heartening and heartbreaking news events remembered

Some of the most memorable news events of the year, both heartening and heartbreaking, were recalled at the annual People of the Year Awards.

In a poignant gesture, the parents of the six young people killed in the Berkeley balcony collapse expressed their personal appreciation for two of the winners who supported them through the tragedy in June.

Fr Brendan McBride & Philip Grant receive the International #PeopleOfTheYear award from Mary McAleese pic.twitter.com/QqLciYY3Zr

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

Fr Brendan McBride of the Irish Immigration Pastoral Centre in San Francisco, who attended the scene of the accident and comforted the injured, traumatised, and bereaved for months afterwards, was honoured along with diplomat Philip Grant, the consul general for the West Coast who was by the families’ sides making practical arrangements throughout.

Philip Grant and Fr Brendan McBride who received awards for their work after the Berkeley tragedy. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

In a joint statement, read on their behalf by former President, Mary McAleese, the parents of the six who died paid tribute to Fr McBride and Mr Grant, describing their efforts as “extraordinary”.

“During these toughest days, they offered compassion, empathy, and protection at a time when we needed it most. This support has been sustained and continues through to the present day, for which we will always be grateful,” they said.

Another ongoing tragedy was remembered during the ceremony as the Irish Naval Service was given an award in recognition of its courage and dedication in rescuing thousands of refugees making perilous crossings over the Mediterranean.

The crews of the LÉ Eithne, LÉ Niamh, and LÉ Samuel Beckett were described as shining a light of inspiration in their approach to the often distressing task.

Very proud of Defence Forces "People of the Year Award" for the work of our Naval Service in the Mediterranean pic.twitter.com/x4JAUk3MZD

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) December 6, 2015

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, founder of the Irish Immigrant Council, warmly welcomed the award.

“For 10,000 people fleeing for their lives, hope and safety came from men and women with the Tricolour on their uniform. It is the proudest chapter of our long maritime history.”

Unusually, an award was given to a group whose size is impossible to determine but whose impact on the social and political landscape this year was immense.

Yes Equality, which drove the hugely energetic yes campaign in the run-up to the marriage equality referendum, had “contributed enormously to a global advance in recognition of the rights of gay and lesbian couples”, the citation read.

The judges noted that the campaign really began as far back as the 1980s when senator David Norris fought for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, but in recent times it had grown to include a range of organisations, activists, and ordinary individuals who gave their time and passion to explaining the importance of their demands.

Young Person of the Year Aoibheann Mangan shares a joke with Chief ERA Rory De Barra. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

Their persistence paid off when the referendum was passed last May, making Ireland the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote.

Persistence was just one of the qualities for which rugby legend, Munster hero, and Ireland captain, Paul O’Connell received his award.

Michael O'Connell accepts the 2015 Sports Person of the Year Award on behalf on his son @Paul_OConnell pic.twitter.com/FuWIXPyeWh

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

He was lauded for his strength, power, reliability, commitment, and leadership — not to mention his successes, which include two Heineken Cups, a Celtic Cup, three Celtic Leagues, three Six Nations Championships, and four Triple Crowns.

While the World Cup may have ended in injury and disappointment for him, this addition to his trophy cabinet will be a timely boost as he works on his rehabilitation and prepares for a fresh chapter in his career with new club Toulon.

The People of the Year Awards, which are based on public nominations, are now in their 41st year and are organised annually by Rehab which witnesses many acts of heroism itself in its work with people overcoming disabilities.

Fadhila Hajji, 18, from Tallaght, set up Diverse City FC, a soccer team for Muslim girls. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

Mo Flynn, Rehab’s chief executive, said the winners reflected all that is good about Irish society. “These awards give us the opportunity to acknowledge unsung heroes from communities across the country and from abroad, whose stories and achievements inspire everyone around them,” she said.

Eight awards were made in total, with the youngest winner aged just 8. The trophies were presented by a variety of celebrities and public figures at a black-tie event in Dublin on Saturday night. Nominations for the 2016 awards open in the summer.

Congratulations to the 2015 #PeopleOfTheYear award winners. You have inspired a nation. pic.twitter.com/TjsCJl5nXs

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

Other remarkable individuals who received awards

Fadhila Hajji, 18:The driving force being Diverse City FC, a football team that enables Muslim girls to wear the hijab without comment or question while playing the sport they love. Fadhila is a youth leader for Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI).

.@Faa_didi989 receives her #PeopleoftheYear award from @StephanieRoche9 pic.twitter.com/pB8mLl3sPA

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

John Evoy: He set up Ireland’s first Men’s Shed in Tipperary in 2009 and has since replicated the idea 299 times in 150 towns with more than 10,000 men attending weekly, sharing their skills and friendship and protecting themselves against isolation.

.@ghook & @moglow present @EvoyJohn from @IrishSheds with his 2015 #PeopleOfTheYear award. pic.twitter.com/lN4idXkEKS

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

Ade Stack and Martin Curley: They set up Hugh’s House in memory of their son, Hugh, who passed away in Temple Street Children’s Hospital in 2013 at just eight months old. Hugh’s House provides free accommodation for the families of children who are in Temple Street for long periods, offering a family-friendly haven of comfort and peace for parents at such an anxious time.

Ade Stack & Marty Curley from @hughshouse receive their #PeopleOfTheYear from Daniel & @Majodonnell pic.twitter.com/C8ISClNESk

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

.@henshawrob presents Aoibheann & Padraic from @ScoilAnClochain with the Young #PeopleOfTheYear award. pic.twitter.com/ZUNwpUaDon

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015

Ken Maleady: A participant in the Dublin City Marathon who happened to bump into an old friend, Alan Leech, and his wife, Mary, whom he had not seen for more than 10 years, at the start of the race — and then later found Mary collapsed from a heart attack. Ken, an emergency cardiology nurse, intensively worked on Mary with mouth to mouth, CPR, a defibrillator and an intravenous drip, bringing her back to life on the roadside. He then went on to complete the marathon in just over four hours.

Ken Maleady receives the Everyday Hero #PeopleOfTheYear award in association with @RadioRayRTE from Michael Lyster. pic.twitter.com/eueEUHH5aM

— People of the Year (@peopleawards) December 5, 2015