RTÉ journalist and presenter Katie Hannon was honoured as the Kerry Person of the Year by the Kerry Association in Dublin this evening.
During her tribute to Ms Hannon, a native of Duagh, Co Kerry, Cathaoirleach of the Kerry Association in Dublin Mary Shanahan said: "This award is presented in recognition of the valuable contribution Katie has made to public service broadcasting."
She made particular reference to Ms Hannon's work on exposing allegations of sexual assault of women in the Irish Defence Forces.
Following this exposure, a Government investigation was established and all 13 recommendations in the final report were accepted in full by the Government.
Ms Shanahan also referenced Ms Hannon's voluntary work in the county as Patron of Kerry Hospice Foundation.
Accepting the award, Ms Hannon said: 'I am delighted and honoured to be named Kerry Person of the Year.
"For me ‘home' has always meant Duagh and I will always be a Kerry woman in exile. So this is very special."
She continued: "In a year when we are debating the value of public service broadcasting, it also means a lot that the Kerry Association in Dublin has chosen to highlight an example of public interest journalism that has had a positive impact – although of course the credit for revealing the challenges women faced in the Defence Forces must go first and foremost to the women who were brave enough to come forward and tell me their stories."
The Kerry Person of the Year award, now in its 42nd year, recognises an individual who has shown leadership and brought honour to the county.
