Mid and East Antrim Council chief pays tribute to sisters after OBE honour

Anne Donaghy received the recognition for services to local government and the community in Co Antrim during Covid-19.

Ms Donaghy, a mother of two – John (12) and Andrea (8) – said: “Whilst I am extremely taken aback and honoured to have received this award, this is not about individual recognition,it’s about recognising the outstanding combined efforts of the entire elected member and officer team at Mid and East Antrim.”

The council chief also said her greatest “source of strength and inspiration” throughout her career has been her sisters, Kathleen and Geraldine, who passed away aged 45 in March 2017 following a fight with ovarian cancer.

“I owe any success I have achieved in my career to my sisters, who have always been strong and steadfast in their support and encouragement of everything I do. Whilst Geraldine is very sadly no longer with us, her spirit lives on and both she and Kathleen continue to be a great source of strength and inspiration to me in everything I do.”

Ms Donaghy was among a number of people honoured for their response to the pandemic. Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Mark Lawrence Cooper received a BEM for services to the community in Newtownabbey during Covid-19.

MBE recipients from the area include Larne Football Club owner Kenny Bruce For services to charity and the community in Larne.

Mr Bruce said: “I was completely blown away when I received notification that I was to receive an MBE and I really am so humbled. Anything I have done for Larne FC and the surrounding community has simply been my way of giving back, because this town has given me so much in my lifetime.

“Alongside the unfaltering support I receive from my amazing family, I am grateful for the ongoing support of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The Council’s chief executive, Anne Donaghy, together with its elected members and officers never fail to be tremendous source of encouragement and assistance.”

MBEs also went to George Irvine for services to education and to the community in Carrickfergus and John Trevor Monteith for services to adults with learning disabilities in Carrickfergus.

Meanwhile, Muriel Evelyn Barr was awarded a BEM For services to the Northern Ireland Hospice. Similarly honoured are William Arthur Fleming for services to music through Ballyclare Victoria Flute Band; Desmond Davison Graham for services to the community in Carrickfergus and Conor McKevitt, team member WorldSkills UK, for services to the WorldSkills Competition.

--

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high-quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.