WHEN THE people of Skerries gathered in April in a walk of solidarity to raise funds to aid the search for two local fishermen, they could have had no conception of the sense of community that they would inspire.
The actions of more than 10,000 people from the north Co Dublin village were recalled during the annual Rehab People of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday.
The people of Skerries and surrounds – who raised €56,000 in a two-hour period to fund the dozens of boats that took to the seas for eight days in the search of the bodies of 26-year-old Ronan Browne and 41-year-old David Gilsenan – were one of 10 award recipients.
The widows of the two men, Linda Browne and Suzanne Gilsenan, told of a vast outpouring of support from the community. Ms Gilsenan said “10,000 people cared enough to bring them home”. But the walk and the search also revealed something to the community.
“People look each other in the eye now in Skerries,” said Ollie Grimes, a local publican who helped organise the walk. Guest of honour, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, said the awards exhibited the “extraordinary dedication, talent and courage, qualities which mean so much to us as a nation”.
In presenting Joan Freeman of Pieta House, which provides counselling and support to people who are suicidal, he lauded the particular “quality of mercy” that she and her staff showed in their work.
“Every day Joan Freeman saves lives and because she does she saves families from the tragedy of suicide and self-harm. See, in the darkest hour Joan Freeman and others like her keep the light shining,” he said,
The Taoiseach noted that Ms Freeman had mortgaged her house to establish the service.
This sense of selflessness was frequently displayed among the award recipients. Edith Wilkins, who worked with Mother Teresa when she first went to India almost 30 years ago, established a foundation to provide a safe haven for street children, child labourers and those who have fallen victim to child trafficking. She has fostered 20 children.
Receiving her award, she quoted the lines inscribed on the wall of the Child in Need Institute in India: “We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. A child cannot. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today.”
Nuala Kerr, the mother of the murdered Catholic PSNI officer Constable Ronan Kerr, was also honoured. She described her son as someone who “stood up for what he believed in”. Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan presented the award and thanked Ms Kerr for her “courage and dignity” in the days after her son’s murder.
Other winners included: AJ McCullough, who saved a young family whose car skidded into a freezing canal in Drogheda, Co Louth; Jackie Kelly, who at just 16 supported her mother through cancer while the same year achieved 10 honours in her Leaving Certificate; Sharon Molloy who received the Best Friend of the Year Award for the support shown to Ian Lawlor, who she helped through heroin addiction.
Former Celtic player Packie Bonner presented an award to the Irish cricket team following their historic win over England earlier this year. Rory McIlroy was also honoured as Sports Person of the Year, although he could not be present to accept the award.
The Waterford Tall Ships Festival also won an award.
People Of The Year Awards: The Winners
People of the Year Award:Joan Freeman of Pieta House;
People of the Year Award:Police Constable Ronan Kerr (posthumously);
People of the Year Award:AJ McCullough;
International Person of the Year Award:Edith Wilkins;
Young Person of the Year Award:Jackie Kelly;
Best Friend of the Year Award:Sharon Malloy;
Community of the Year Award:Skerries, Co Dublin.
Sports Person of the Year Award:Rory McIlroy;
People of the Year Award:The Ireland cricket team;
People of the Year Award:Tall Ships Festival Waterford 2011.