'Young Offenders' actor Shane Casey becomes Cork's Person of the Year

The double Olympic women’s lightweight boxing gold medallist Kellie Harrington was made an ‘Honorary Cork Person’ at today's ceremony

Actor Shane Casey (second from right) with his parents Seán and Eileen and his wife Dr Honor Carroll (right) after winning the Cork Person of the Year award on Friday. Shane said he was 'shocked and kind of lost for words'. Picture: David Creedon

The latest Cork Person of the Year winner may be best known for his hardman character Billy Murphy in hit TV series The Young Offenders but he’s also a noted playwright, community leader and charity advocate.

Shane Casey started out at 21 as an apprentice painter and decorator but has since climbed a different kind of ladder becoming a leading figure in the country's entertainment industry.