Mary Crilly accepts Cork's Freedom of the City for the survivors and their supporters

Ms Crilly revealed that she is working on a three-year exit plan to step down as Cork Sexual Violence Centre CEO by the time she is 70.

Mary Crilly, CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork was awarded the freedom of the city. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

The crusading founder and CEO of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre has accepted her freedom of the city award on behalf of all the people it has helped and for all those who have helped the centre over four decades.

Humbled and emotional, Mary Crilly, made her comments as she was bestowed with the city’s highest civic honour during a special meeting of Cork City Council.