AS TAOISEACH Enda Kenny prepares to be honoured tonight as Mayo Person of the Year, a former recipient has urged him to stay focused on ideals and to “always put people before profit”.

Longtime curate of historical Ballintubber Abbey, Fr Frank Fahey, who received the award in 1994, said those honoured with the title “must always have ideals, even if they are not achieved”.

“As long as Enda stays grounded in his community and continues to engage with ordinary people, he will stay in touch with the realities of this very difficult period in our history. But as Taoiseach he must also listen to the financial wizards here and in Europe as well as manage the political agendas of the many interest groups he faces each day,” Fr Fahey said yesterday.

Another recipient of the award, Dr Jerry Cowley, who was an Independent TD from 2002 until 2007, welcomed the fact the Taoiseach was being honoured by his fellow Mayo men and women.

“This is a very welcome honour for Enda Kenny because it is a recognition by his peers and fellow county people. As we know these are very difficult and unprecedented times and it is very important that Enda, as our Taoiseach, knows that the people of Mayo are standing full-square behind him.”

Former Fianna Fáil junior minister Dara Calleary said tonight’s Mayo Association reception in the Burlington Hotel was one of celebration.

“We wear the same county jersey and he is an appropriate recipient of this honour. This is an occasion for him to celebrate his personal success and I hope himself and Fionnuala and the children have a wonderful evening. But it is back to the harsh realities then on Sunday when we will be marching for the retention and future of Ballina hospital, which is under threat due to Government cutbacks,” said Mr Calleary.

This year’s Meitheal award goes to the landowners along the Great Western Greenway.