In the recent 2010 Rehab People of The Year Award, Dunmurry born, Judge Catherine McGuinness was awarded a People of the Year Award for her pioneering and vast contribution to Irish life in many roles over a lengthy career.
These included her appointment as a High Court and Supreme Court Judge, as President of the Law Reform Commission and as a Senator, as well as for her unique contribution as an advocate for children’s rights reform. The Award was presented by broadcaster Gay Byrne.
By Jillian van Turnhout, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance in a press statement said, “The Children’s Rights Alliance warmly congratulates Justice Catherine McGuinness on receiving the Rehab 2010 People of the Year Award. Justice McGuinness is a most worthy recipient of this prestigious award. Her leadership and commitment to children’s rights is second to none. She brings her razor sharp intellect, but also her humanity, to every issue she addresses.
“Justice McGuinness has played a leading role in fighting for the rights of children in Ireland for many years. In 1993, in her capacity as Chair of the Kilkenny Incest Inquiry, she identified the need to strengthen children’s constitutional rights to ensure children are adequately protected from abuse. This was a watershed moment for children’s rights in Ireland. Subsequently, she was a member of the Constitutional Review Group that in 1996 recommended the inclusion of express rights for children in the Constitution.
“Over the past two years, Justice McGuinness has played an active role in monitoring the Government’s performance in keeping its promises to children, as a member of the External Assessment Panel for the Children’s Rights Alliance Report Card 2009 and 2010. She has called on Government to implement the recommendations put forward by the Alliance, and has lobbied to keep children’s rights at the core of the Government’s agenda.
“The Alliance’s Report Card process has been enriched by Justice McGuinness’ involvement, and it would not have the credibility it has today without her very fine contribution, both behind the scenes and in the public eye. I am absolutely delighted that one of our leading lights has been given the recognition she so rightly deserves today – not only for her work in 2010 but over decades.”
Now in their 36th year, the Awards were presented by Gráinne Seoige with Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport as Guest of Honour at the event.
Ireland’s answer to an honours system, the People of the Year Awards provide a unique opportunity for the Irish public to honour outstanding contributions made by individuals and organisations to life in Ireland. The winners of the People of the Year Awards are chosen by members of the public through a nomination process and finalised by a panel of adjudicators.
The other People of the Year Award winners for 2010 were :
Graeme McDowell Awarded a People of the Year Award
The Families of the Victims of Bloody Sunday Honoured
Life of the late Gerry Ryan Celebrated
Steve Carson, Director of Programming, RTÉ Television, added:
“RTÉ is very proud of its long standing association with Rehab and the People of the Year Awards. It’s a very special night, not just for the winners but also for their families, their friends and everyone whose lives they have touched.
Last year over 400,000 viewers tuned in to see the enormous range of achievements of Ireland’s everyday heroes be recognised and we are delighted to play our part in seeing generosity and courage of this magnitude brought to the fore.”
www.peopleoftheyear.com or www.facebook.com/rehab25
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