COMMERCIAL PROFILE: Irish Security Industry Association

The incredible brav-ery shown by cam-paigner Vicky Phel-an was recognised at this year’s Irish

Security Industry Association Awards with the terminally ill Limerick woman receiving the ISIA’s National Courage Award, sponsored by OCS Ireland.

In what no doubt articu-lated the thoughts of many people across Ireland, the ISIA praised Phelan’s inspi-rational courage and selfless-ness displayed in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal, declaring her actions a “true gift to women across Ireland” and clearly deserving of the Courage Award.

“We wish Vicky hadn’t been put in a position to show such courage and persever-ance to ensure accountability, change and better options for women, but we are grateful to her,” said Michael McQuillan, ISIA president.

Although Phelan was un-able to attend the awards cer-emony in person, she sent a heart-felt video message of thanks to the ISIA’s council of management in appreciation for the acknowledgement.

While she stressed that her actions had never been un-dertaken with the intention of garnering accolades, Phelan said that receiving the award cemented her belief that her decision to not remain silent had been the right choice.

She told the awards audi-ence she remained commit-ted to affecting change. She said: “That’s why I am still here campaigning for change, for women’s health . . . and to make Ireland a safer place for my daughter.”

The Courage Award was one of ten awards distributed at the event, held at the Pow-erscourt Hotel on November 24, with broadcaster Alison Comyn as MC. It was attend-ed by more than 250 guests,

including representatives of senior management from the private security industry and other sectors. Also in atten-dance were members of the Private Security Authority and An Garda Síochána.

McQuillan hailed the occa-sion as an important chance to recognise the significant con-tributions and achievements displayed by those across the sector. He said: “The ISIA awards is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate and en-courage excellence and high standards.”

The Premier Award, spon-sored by NOONAN, was awarded to Irish Communi-ty Rapid Response, a char-ity delivering professional, pre-hospital A&E care direct-ly to the site of emergencies across Ireland.

“We hope to never find ourselves in need of urgent medical care at the site of an emergency, but we are grateful that such a critical voluntary service is being provided across Ireland,” said McQuillan.

The award was accepted by John Kearney, chief executive of the Irish Community Rapid Response, who paid tribute to the diligence and dedica-

tion of his team in the face of challenging situations.

In a strongly contested category, Sean O’Sullivan of NOONAN was named Secu-rity Officer of the Year. The Security Officer at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre was applauded by judges for his exceptional service and out-standing contribution to the industry. The category also contained three merit awards, to Mark Dawnay of G4S Se-cure Solutions and his col-league Dermot Holden, and Muhammad Shafa of OCS Ireland.

The award for Security Su-pervisor of the Year, spon-sored by RSP Radio & Security Products and Hytera, went to Antonie Vasile of OCS Ireland for the outstanding work he has carried out at United Drug where he has worked for the past ten years. There were three merit awards: Bill Doyle, MITIE; Gerard McKenna, NOONAN and Eddie O’Brien, G4S Secure Solutions.

The ISIA Locksmith of the Year award, sponsored by Abloy, focused on customer service, quality and exper-tise. The shortlist selection in-volved a detailed assessment of case-study submissions

and an in-depth look at re-sponses to an online customer survey. Crothers Security took the award, ahead of fellow finalists Locksmiths.ie and Williams Locksmith.

ISIA SÓLÁS Apprentice of the Year was Daron Reynolds of Stanley Security Ireland, who received high praise for shining as an exception-al example as an electronic security apprentice and an encouraging exemplifica-tion of what the future talent pool in private security has to offer. There were also four merit awards: Jonathan Bry-an, Stanley Security Ireland; Killian Lynch, MC Security Solutions; Colm McCann, Evolution (Electronic Security Systems) Ireland; and Lau-rence Redmond, Action 24.

The award for Electronic Security Technician of the Year, sponsored by CONX-TD and CSL, was presented to Gary O’Brien of TDS who works with a variety of their key clients across a range of sectors. The five merit award recipients were Michael Ahern, NOONAN; Niall Far-rell, TDS; Brian Gallagher, Evolution (Electronic Secu-rity Systems) Ireland; David Halpin, Action24 and James

O’Connell, TDS.NOONAN was recognised

once again, with the security services company receiving the award for Electronic Se-

curity Supervisor of the Year. The award was presented to Ken Moran for his exception-al work managing a variety of client relationships. Three

merit accolades were award-ed to Antony Barrett of McEl-waine Security Services, John O’Brien of TDS and Damien O’Hara of Action 24.

The judges faced a diffi-cult decision deciding on the winner of the Innovation in Security award, sponsored by Axis Communications, with all four finalists displaying a passion for their specialist field as well as a dedication and commitment to clients and customer service.

Against stiff competition from Action24, Convergint Technologies and Evolution (Electronic Security Systems) Ireland, TDS was announced as the winner. Through their submission, based on the de-velopment of TDS Beacon,

and through further assess-ment, the judges felt it was evident that TDS displays true innovation in security and cultivates a company cul-ture that allows innovation to flourish.

Four finalists were also selected for the ISIA Client Service Award: Evolution (Electronic Security Services) Ireland, G4S Cash Solutions Ireland, G4S Secure Solutions and NOONAN. The award rec-ognises member companies who are delivering exception-al service to their client base.

Once again it was NOONAN that shone out above the rest with the company selected for the delivery of their se-curity service to Dundrum Town Centre.

Elect Sec Tech: Andrew Smyth, Sales Executive, CSL; Gary O’Brien, Electronic Security Technician of the Year, TDS; Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA; Chris Carter Brennan, CEO, CONXTD

Innovation: Peter Dempsey, Key Account Manager, Axis Communications; James Lillis, Head of Engineering, TDS ; Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA

Courage Award: Alison Comyn, MC; Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA; Helen Forristal, Marie Keating Foundation; Aine Mulcahy, Managing Director, OCS Group Ireland; Bernie Carter, Marie Keating Foundation

Supervisor: Alison Comyn, MC; Matthew Napier, Sales Director, Hytera UK; Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA; Antonie Vasile, Security Supervisor of the Year, OCS Ireland; Mick McGuirk, Managing Director, Radio & Security Products

Locksmiths: Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA; Steven Crothers, Crothers Security, ISIA Locksmith of the Year

Premier: Alison Comyn, MC; John Kearney, CEO, Irish Community Rapid Response; John O’Donoghue, Group CEO, NOONAN; Michael McQuillan, President, ISIA

ISIA Award Sponsors

NOONAN and TDS lead way in securing top awards