The sisters and partner of Robert McCartney, the 33-year-old man from Belfast murdered last January, were presented with the Irish People of the Year Award for 2005 at the weekend by Minster for Finance Brian Cowen at the ESB/Rehab Person of the Year ceremony in Dublin.
The Minister said the award represented the Irish people's support for the women's campaign for justice. People wanted to live free of fear and intimidation and he hoped it would mark a turning point in helping to bring the killers to justice.
Live8 organiser Bob Geldof, broadcaster Terry Wogan, GAA president Seán Kelly and social campaigner Fr Peter McVerry were also honoured at Saturday night's ceremony.
Wogan, whose breakfast radio programme in the UK has one of the highest listenerships in Europe, was named Ireland's greatest living entertainer. Geldof received the International Person of the Year award for his work in the Make Poverty History and Live8 campaigns.
Mr Kelly was honoured for his leadership of the GAA, particularly through the debate over the controversial Rule 42.
Jesuit priest Fr McVerry received an award for dedicating his life to the poor and marginalised and for acting as a fearless advocate for those without a voice.
RTÉ broadcaster Marian Finucane was honoured for her work with the Irish Hospice Foundation.
The Young Person of the Year award was won by three students, Neil Burke, Anthony Maine and Donal Mooney, for their campaign to have their schoolfriend Elukanlo Olakunle brought back to Ireland to complete his Leaving Certificate following his deportation earlier in the year.
Travellers' rights campaigner David Joyce also received a People of the Year award.
