106-year-old WW2 veteran is among those recognised

A 106-year-old Second World War veteran from Coleraine is the oldest person on the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Norman Irwin has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for a range of voluntary work in his home town in County Londonderry, including at a cross-community club for retirees.

A total of 69 people from Northern Ireland are honoured on the list which celebrates the public service of individuals across the UK.

Road-racer Michael Dunlop, 36, is to receive an MBE for services to the sport.

The record-breaking Isle of Man TT winner said: “This is a wonderful honour for me and for my family. I am humbled to be awarded this honour from the Palace.”

Among the others from Northern Ireland to be recognised are the former permanent secretary at the Department of Health, Peter May, and the chair of the recent Urology Inquiry, Christine Smith KC, who is to receive a CBE.

The founder of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Dr Marie Lacey, has been awarded an MBE for her work in the arts sector.

The choir brings together people of different faiths, races, sexual orientations and socio-economic backgrounds.

Dr Lacey said: “I can not put into words what this honour means to me.

“To think back to that little girl on the Newtownards Road in Belfast to now receiving this recognition is beyond what I could have dreamed for myself.”

“Seeing joy on our audiences’ faces has always been my privilege, and so to be recognised and honoured for that is pretty overwhelming.”

Also awarded an MBE was Joanne Currie, principal of Cairnshill Integrated Primary School in south Belfast.

“It means a huge deal to me,” she told BBC News NI.

“I am just an ‘ordinary Joe’, just working on a daily basis. To get something like this is, is an honour and it’s very humbling.”

James McGinn, managing director of Hastings Hotels, has been awarded an MBE for services to hospitality and tourism.

Richard Taylor, a governor in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, has been awarded an OBE, as has Terry Pateman, the chair of the Northern Amateur Football league.

Seven birthday honours were awarded to members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), including Inspector Richard Brown who has more than 40 years of service.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “I am incredibly proud to see the dedication and bravery of our officers and staff members recognised.

“These honours reflect not only individual accomplishments, but also the dedication and professionalism that define the PSNI.”

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons paid tribute to those from the sport, music, arts, charity, housing and voluntary and community sectors who were recognised.

“Each recipient has made a positive and lasting impact on our society and are an inspiration, I would like to thank each of you.”

Click here for a full list of those named in the Kings Birthday Honours list.

The commonly awarded ranks are as follows:

Companion of Honour – Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name

Knight or Dame

CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire

OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire

MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire

BEM – British Empire Medal

READ: Guide to the King’s Birthday Honours