THE murdered journalist, Veronica Guerin, was honoured posthumously in the 1996 People of the Year awards, which were presented by the Taoiseach in Dublin last night. Ms Guerin, who was shot dead last June, was chosen for the 1996 Adjudicators' Special Award.
The People of the Year Awards were inaugurated in 1975 by the Rehab Group to honour publicly individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.
Ms Guerin was one of nine people to be honoured is year. Others included triple Olympic gold medallist Michelle Smith, and the founder of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Dr Mary Redmond.
Ms Guerin's award was accepted by her husband, Mr Graham Turley. The citation said she was being honoured "for her journalistic integrity, her pursuit of the truth and her commitment to free media for which she gave her life".
Ms Smith received her award for achieving an unequalled level of success for an Irish athlete. Her citation said she had displayed "charm, personality and eloquence that brought honour to the country, as well as the endorsement of the President of the United States, Mr Bill Clinton".
Another Olympic medallist, Bridie Lynch, who is partially sighted, was honoured for her achievement in the Atlanta Paralympics. She won a gold medal in the discus and a bronze in the shot-put.
Dr Mary Redmond, who founded the Irish Hospice Foundation in 1986, received her award for the provision of services to care for the dying. The IHF has provided three new in-patient units as well as a home-care service, fund raising support groups and regional hospices.
Mr Jeremiah O'Donoghue, a school teacher in Rathmore Secondary School, Co Kcrry was honoured for the establishment of a student social action group in the area. Since its formation in 1975, the group has raised funds for the construction of seven houses, enterprise units, a creche and day centres for the elderly and psychiatric patients.
Also honoured was Mr Pat Matthews and his wife Nuala who established the lrish Society for Autism. Their son was diagnosed autistic at the age of two. In 1983, they founded the Dunfirth Community in Co Kildare, where 36 young people with autism live as a traditional farming community.
The Donegal-based painter, Dr Derek Hill, received an award for his "distinguished contribution" to Irish art and for the donation of his house, St Columb's, and its art collection to the State in 1981.
Ms Elizabeth O'Farrell (21) from Kilkenny, who has received four liver transplants and has begun a course in child care was honoured for "her personal bravery, strength of character and inspiration to others".