A NEWRY businessman, a former senior PSNI officer and one of Belfast’s best-known senior clerics are among those on Queen Elizabeth’s new year’s honours list released today.
Sixty people from Northern Ireland are among some 3,000 who are honoured on the list released in London at midnight.
Paul Leighton, the former deputy chief constable of the PSNI who retired last spring, receives a CBE. He served alongside former chief constable Sir Hugh Orde and has been replaced as deputy chief constable by Judith Gillespie.
Businessman Dr Gerard O’Hare is perhaps best known for his association with the Carnbane House Group and O’Hare McGovern Ltd, one of Ireland’s leading property, investment and construction companies. He also receives a CBE.
Dr O’Hare is chairman of the University of Ulster Foundation and is cited for his services to higher education in Northern Ireland.
The Very Rev Houston McKelvey, dean of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, receives an OBE in recognition of his services to the community.
In keeping with the tradition laid down by many of his predecessors, he leads an annual Christmas collection outside St Anne’s for Christian Aid and a host of local charities, which nets tens of thousands of pounds annually.
A sitout to raise funds for the 2004 tsunami victims raised £1.6 million (€1.79 million).
The Northern Ireland honours list also includes 39 people who are receiving lower awards, usually given in recognition of community work or public service. They include Ulster Unionist Assembly member Rev Robert Coulter, who is awarded an MBE in recognition of his public service to his North Antrim constituents since 1998.
Also honoured are husband and wife Jean and Rodney Hayley from Ballymoney, Co Antrim. They are honoured for services to children and families in Northern Ireland. They have provided foster care for some 50 children in their home. It is thought to be the first time a married couple have been honoured simultaneously in this way.
The youngest recipient of an award is thought to be Kerry Anthony (36), who is honoured for services to social housing.
The oldest person to be honoured is 94-year-old Thomas Todd from Kilkeel, Co Down.