Queen Elizabeth rewards Irish nun for work with prisoners

An Irish nun said to be related to George Clooney has been given one of the highest awards bestowed by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth for her pastoral work with prisoners in the town of Chelmsford in Essex.

Sister Philomena Purcell, linked to the Hollywood actor through her mother, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

The 77-year-old, who has been working as part of the pastoral service offered by the prison since 2002, also works one day a week at St Francis Hospice near Romford.