ISIA Awards 2014

The Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) hosted the ISIA Awards on Saturday 1st November at the Powerscourt Hotel.  The awards were attended by over 230 individuals from the private security industry and senior management from a variety of industries.  Also in attendance were members of the Private Security Authority, An Garda Síochána and His Excellency, Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador to Ireland.  The MC on the night was Sinead Desmond of TV3. 

As pointed out by ISIA President, Sheenagh McCullagh “The ISIA Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate our industry leaders and their people”.  McCullagh thanked all those members “who came to the event to celebrate their employees success” and she paid tribute to all those who submitted nominations this year.  “It is evidence of ISIA member’s dedication to excellence, that they take the time to consider those individuals and teams that help make their company a leader in the security industry”.  There were ten awards presented on the night. 

The Premier Award

The Premier Award, sponsored by Noonan, was this year bestowed upon Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the contribution that her visit in 2011 and the reciprocal state visit by President Michael D. Higgins to the UK have made to solidify the new era of peace within which we now live.  The award was accepted on her behalf by His Excellency, Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador to Ireland.  The Ambassador addressed the members of the ISIA and emphasised that he was ‘very proud to collect the award on Her Majesty’s behalf’.  His Excellency finished his speech with the words of Queen Elizabeth spoken during the State Visit of President Michael D. Higgins to the United Kingdom.  “My visit to Ireland and your visit this week, Mr President, show that we are walking together towards a brighter, more settled future. We will remember our past, but we shall no longer allow our past to ensnare our future. This is the greatest gift we can give to succeeding generations."

The Courage Award

This year’s Courage Award was presented to Mark Pollock of the Mark Pollock Trust and was sponsored by G4S.  Pollock was unbroken by blindness in 1998 and went to complete numerous ultra-endurance challenges.  In 2010 Pollock was then left paralysed after falling from a second story window.  Through the Mark Pollock Trust, he is now on a mission to find and connect people around the world to fast track a cure for paralysis.  The President of the ISIA, Sheenagh McCullagh said, ‘Mark is such an incredible man and an incredibly worthy recipient of the courage award.  It was an honour to be able to present it to him’. 

Security Officer of the Year

The award for Security Officer of the Year was presented to Jonathan Waters of Synergy Security Solutions and was sponsored by Arantico.  Waters was presented this award for the exceptional service and outstanding contribution he makes as a store detective at Boots Ireland.  There were also four merit award recipients on the night; Paul Bridgeman, Synergy Security Solutions; Robert Delaney, Synergy Security Solutions; Darragh Lawlor, NOONAN and Micheál Moylan, G4S.

Security Supervisor of the Year

The award for Security Supervisor of the Year was presented to Terence Murphy, Synergy Security Solutions, for the outstanding work he carries out at a multi-national cork based technology company where he supervises a team of officers.  There were three merit award recipients on the night; Adrian Duffy, Synergy Security Solutions; Vitalijus Durkovas, G4S and Warren Humphrey’s, G4S.  This award was sponsored by JW Balfour. 

Event Security Person of the Year

The winner of the Event Security Person of the Year award, sponsored by Hytera and RSP, was Derek O’Rourke, Pulse Security Management, who was specifically nominated for the work he carries out as an Event Security Supervisor at the Aviva Stadium.  Trevor Goode of Brinks Ireland was presented with a merit award for the event security work he carries out for ESB and Croke Park. 

Electronic Security Technician of the Year

The award for Electronic Security Technician of the Year, sponsored by IC Realtime, was presented to Cormac Sullivan of Brinks Ireland who works with a variety of their key clients.  There were three merit award recipients on the night; John Berkery and Billy Hills of Stanley Security and Adrian Jones of MTS Security.

Electronic Security Supervisor of the Year

The award for Electronic Security Supervisor of the Year was presented to Martin Mills of MTS Security who is their Support Desk Supervisor.  There were three merit award recipients on the night; Phil Ledwith and Darren McCormack of G4S and Austin O’Sullivan of Brinks Ireland. 

Innovation in Security

There were four finalists selected for this award; Action Security and Alarm Control 24, All Security Mobile Shredding, Brinks in Partnership with Arantico, and Stanley Security.  .  The award was sponsored by Bosch and the winner was Action Security and Alarm Control 24.  “The submission was based on their development of a nationwide radio network for the monitoring of security systems”, stated Sarah O’Donnell, Communications Director, ISIA.  O’Donnell added “it was clear from the selection process that not only with this development, but in general, innovation is part of the day to day culture of Action Security and Alarm Control 24”. 

ISIA Locksmith of the Year

A customer’s choice award, clients of ISIA members were invited to complete a survey and provide feedback on their locksmith of choice.  Survey respondents were asked to rate their locksmith in terms of customer service, quality of work and technical knowledge.  There were three finalists; Crothers Security, Fogarty Lock and Safe and J. Williams.  The overall winner of this year’s ISIA Locksmith of the Year award was J. Williams. 

Community Contribution Award

Earlier this year Darragh Lawlor of NOONAN played a part in saving his Uncle’s life, who had a heart attack at Ladbrokes in Swords.  Crucial to Lawlor being able to assist with this was a defibrillator held at the Pavilions Shopping Centre where Lawlor is assigned as a Security Officer.  What Lawlor did next was beyond anyone’s expectations.  He recognised how critical the defibrillator had been in saving his uncle’s life and recognised the lack of other defibrillators in Swords.  He set up a Facebook page to raise awareness and campaign to get a Defibrillator for the main street of Swords.  Through his efforts he exceeded his initial goal to get one defibrillator on Swords Main street, but managed to ensure that two were placed in different locations with 24/7 access.  He also arranged for individuals to be trained in the use of the defibrillators.  Lawlor’s efforts not only ensured that his Uncle’s life was saved, but will have the potential to save more lives in the future.  Darragh Lawlor is not only a hero to his family, but a hero to the community of Swords and all who visit there.