Most deserving -  People of the Year Awards

It is fitting that the organisers of the People of the Year Awards should decide to acknowledge the courage and valour of members of the Irish Coast Guard service.

They won the award in recognition of the bravery of the men and women who carry out their duties despite considerable risk to their lives.

It is a well deserved but sad tribute as it recognises the crew of Rescue 116, who tragically lost their lives off the Mayo coast in March last year while providing communications support for an offshore medical assistance operation.

It also recalls the courage of a volunteer member who died six months earlier while taking part in a search operation off the coast of Kilkee, Co Clare.

The People of the Year Awards, which is sponsored by Rehab, is the nearest we have to an honours system by recognising extraordinary achievements by ordinary people.

Previous winners have included athletes, entertainers, and campaigners. All were deserving but none moreso than those prepared to risk their lives in the service of others.