Somebody had to suffer at the Galway People of the Year awards — it was Keith!

By DAVID BURKE YOU'D never imagine that one of the dangers of live radio broadcasting is starvation â€â€ well, not getting to eat your dinner. But that's exactly what happened to Galway Bay FM's Keith Finnegan at the Galway People of the Year awards on Friday night. For the first time, the ceremony was broadcast live, and with all the hoppin' and trottin' poor Keith had to do he never got near his starter, his main course â€â€ even, horror of horrors, his dessert.[private] This is his 16th year acting as compere for the event, which he does free, gratis and for nothing, fair dues to him. It's all in the spirit of the Rehab awards, which honour the decency and commitment of people, some well known, some not, who work for the good of others and of the community. There were almost 400 people at the gala banquet and presentation in the Galway Bay Hotel, including City Mayor Terry O'Flaherty, County Mayor Thomas Welby, Junior Minister Ciaran Cannon and other public representatives. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who was in Rome, had earlier recorded a video message to the honorees. North and East Galway were well represented among them. The name of Della Dolan of Abbeyknockmoy and Tuam is now synonymous with the Tea Dances which have raised over half a million euro for many causes over the years and are still going strong. Then there was John Concannon, honoured for both his industrial activities and his work for Pieta House. Knockdoe native Michael Kearney, who built a hotel on a disused site in Dublin and is now Chairman of the Carlton Hotel group, is also well known as a Rose of Tralee judge and a man who has supported many worthy causes. Anthony Killarney, a native of Ryehill, Monivea, worked in various engineering roles before setting up a company in a back room in his home in Maynooth. Today he employs over 500 people and one of his companies is the largest contractor for the mobile Telecom industry in Ireland. He also continues to support many worthy causes and has never forgotten his roots. Marie Cahill from Claregalway is the Chairperson of the Galway Parkinsons Society and was acknowledged for her contribution and great service to the association. Also honoured was Liam Cullinane from Galway who as a young man joined the French Foreign Legion where he was a trained diver and skydiver. He was struck down with a deadly strain of meningitis from which few recover and is slowly re-building his life. Dr Ken Kaar and Olga Farrell received a joint award â€â€ both have done trojan work for the Children of Russia charity, both in fundraising for the restoration of orphanages in Russia and Siberia and the facilitation of the adoption of over 100 children for Irish couples. Ordained at 66 Another man honoured was 90-year-old Fr Sean Kilcoyne who has had a remarkable life having served in the army, joined Telecom and worked there for 40 years. After 30 years of marriage and the death of his wife he was ordained as a priest at 66 and is the chaplain in the Bon Secours Hospital. Charles Lynch, retired CEO of Galway County and City Enterprise Board, also received an award for both his professional and voluntary contribution helping others. Mervue native Betty O'Flaherty from Foster Court, well known throughout the city for her collections and fundraising also received an award, following her mother, the late Cllr Bridie O'Flaherty, in 1997. The International Award was presented jointly by the City and County Mayors to Circular Road, Galway natives Billy Lawless and Gerry Lawless. Billy has a thriving pub and restaurant business in Chicago and works tirelessly and voluntarily for the Irish in his adopted city. Gerald is in Dubai and is executive chairman of the luxury Jumeirah hotel group. He has also maintained his links with Ireland, serving many different causes. The group award went to the Octopus Swimming Club, a team of volunteers helping people with disabilities every Monday for the past 30 years. After the presentations Ollie Robinson of Rehab paid tribute to all the winners who had done themselves, their county and community proud both at home and abroad. 'People who had brought joy and light to the lives of others; people who have shown strength and courage in the face of adversity.' And as the honorees and their supporters prepared to party the night away, Keith headed away into the night â€â€ and a bite to eat.[/private]