An honorary doctorate at the University of Limerick was conferred yesterday on the founder of the Progressive Democrats, Mr Des O'Malley. Karl Hanlon reports.
The former minister and TD was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, becoming the 60th recipient since the practice was established at the university in 1990. The president of the University of Limerick, Dr Roger Downer, described Mr O'Malley as a man of "wisdom, courage, dedication and achievement ... In addition to UL's international reputation, UL is also very much the University of Limerick, so it is particularly pleasing to honour this son of Limerick who has distinguished himself so magnificently in the political arena," he said.
Mr O'Malley was joined by family members at the ceremony, including his daughter, Fiona, now a Progressive Democrat TD for Dún Laoghaire, his cousin, Mr Tim O'Malley, who retained the O'Malley seat in Limerick in last year's general election, as well as the Progressive Democrat leader, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.
Accepting his doctorate, Mr O'Malley referred to crime-related issues which have dominated much of the recent news coverage in his native Limerick.
He said the social housing policy in Limerick over the last four or five decades was one of the roots of the problem in the city. "Building such large local authority estates in a small city is wrong, The social housing mistake in Limerick is the worst in Ireland and one of the worst examples in the world," said Mr O'Malley.