On the 15th of October 2022, the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) hosted the ISIA Awards at Carton House.  Following the COVID-19 pandemic it had been three years since the members of the ISIA were able to celebrate their people and their teams in a live setting. The event was also particularly significant to the members this year as the association marked its 50th anniversary.

The evening began with a lively Welcome Reception sponsored by Bidvest Noonan offering the nearly 250 guests of the ISIA Awards time to network and reconnect. There were fifteen accolades presented during the ceremony to a variety of recipients that included outstanding individuals and companies from both inside the private security industry and those outside the industry who have demonstrated great courage and contributed to the safety and security of us all.

Speaking about the ceremony, Lorraine O’Neill, President of ISIA, stressed the importance of honouring the many deserving winners. “This annual event provides the ISIA with an opportunity to celebrate the success of its member companies and their dedication to delivering exceptional service to clients along with their commitment to innovation. It also serves to highlight those individuals who contribute to outstanding service delivery within ISIA member companies,” she said. “It is important to highlight the work being done behind the scenes and ensure that credit is given where it is due.”

 

Electronic Security Technician of the Year

Sponsored by Hikvision

 

This award was presented to Phil Ledwith of G4S for the work he conducts as Systems Installation engineer at a variety of G4S client sites.  Merit awards were presented to Darren Collier, G4SGary Conway, G4S, and Paul Nolan, TDS.

 

Security Officer of the Year

Sponsored by NSI

 

This award was presented to Muhammad Kashif, Synergy Security Solutions for the work he conducts as a security officer with Amazon Web Services.  Merit awards were presented to Ilyas Jemil Afolabi, G4S; Muhammad Kayani, OCS One Complete Solution; Justin Keller, Synergy Security Solutions and Vali Maistru, Mitie

 

ISIA Locksmith of the Year     

sponsored by Abloy

 

D15 Locksmith the winner of the ISIA Locksmith of the Year award based on a combination of responses submitted as part of a customer survey and case studies submitted for projects completed for projects completed at several key commercial and residential client sites. Crothers Security were also a finalist in this category.

 

Event Security person of the Year

David Zambra of Pulse Security Management was the winner of the Event Security Person of the Year award for his work as an Event & Film Security Team Leader and specifically for the work he completed as part of Dublin Pride and on a variety of sets for the film industry. Kevin Barry of Sword Security was also presented with a merit award.

 

Innovation in Security Award

Sponsored by Axis Communications

G4S were named the winner of the award for Innovation in Security for being true example of innovation in security and for the innovative approach used to develop beneficial security solutions for their client base. Crothers Security were also selected as a finalist in this category.

 

Client Service Award

sponsored by Hubbcat

Synergy Security Solutions were the winner of this year’s client service award based on the evidence of client service provided across their range of successful security solutions to a significant global brand across sites in Ireland and additional countries. Mitie and TDS were also selected as finalists in this category.

 

ARC Team of the Year

sponsored by CONXTD

AlarmControl24 received the award for ARC Team if the Year for demonstrating through their submission the delivery of their service to the highest standards along with efficiency and value to the client. G4were also selected as a finalist in this category.

 

Diversity and Inclusion Award

The ward for Diversity and Inclusion was presented to Bidvest Noonan in recognition of their success with creating an inclusive culture that encourages diversity in the workplace. Also recognised as finalists in this category were Elevare, GSLS, OCS One Complete Solution, Provincial and Synergy Security Solutions.

 

Women in Security

In its inaugural year, the winner of the Women in Security award was OCS One Complete Solution in recognition of their success with both attracting and retaining more women to the security industry. GSLS were also selected as a finalist in this category.

 

Female Security Professional of the Year

Eileen McGovern of GSLS was the winner of the Female Security Professional of the Year award in recognition of the exceptional performance she has demonstrated in her roles with GSLS where she has progressed from a Cash Processing Manager to her role today as Head of Cash Processing and Road Operations. Dalya Kennedy, Bidvest Noonan and Suzanne McDonnell, Stanley Security Solutions were presented with merit awards.

 

Male Security Professional of the Year

Alan McQuillan of Pulse Security Management received the Male Security Professional of the Year award in recognition of his exceptional performance in his role as general manager and in serving as an example for those considering a career in the private security industry.

 

Electronic Security Supervisor of the Year

James O’Connell of TDS was the winner of this year’s Electronic Security Supervisor of the Year award. James was selected as the winner based on the work he does as a project manager where he leads teams of TDS engineers providing service to a wider range of high value clients. Joe Browne, TDS; Niall Farrell, TDS and Joseph McGann, Bidvest Noonan were also presented with merit awards.

 

Security Supervisor of the Year

sponsored by RSP Radio and Security Products & Hytera

Hermina Bunic of Bidvest Noonan was selected as the winner of the Security Supervisor of the Year award for the work she conducts as a security supervisor on behalf of Bidvest Noonan at Amazon Web Services where she has been leading the security team for the past year. Also presented with merit awards for their outstanding work as security supervisors were Noel Aungier, OCS One Complete Solution; Gary Cahill, Mitie; Deborah Doyle, Bidvest Noonan; Anthony Hunt, Bidvest Noonan, Alina Paun, G4S; Cian Reynolds, Synergy Security Solutions; Vivian Sedikou, Synergy Security Solutions and Jamie Young, Sodexo

 

Courage Award                       sponsored by OCS One Complete Solution

Each year the ISIA Courage Award is presented to an individual or group, who has clearly demonstrated extraordinary acts of courage. This may be through physical valour, social services, humanitarian deeds, but always the recipients have put the needs of others and greater good before themselves.

 

Over a long and distinguished career in broadcasting spanning four decades Charlie Bird brought us the news from across the nation and from across the world. He brought us closer to some of the most remarkable events and humanitarian stories we have witnessed,

 

When Charlie was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in October 2021, he continued to bring us the news. He brought us his news and what it meant to be facing life with motor neuron disease. He chose to speak and speak openly about what it was like to be faced with a terminal illness and he chose to try and make a difference.

Following his diagnosis, the Climb with Charlie campaign was launched. In April of this year Charlie climbed Croagh Patrick to raise money for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association and Pieta House. Charlie was joined by 1333 participants in 241 locations and raised over €3 million.

The ISIA felt privileged to recognise Charlie Bird’s courageous efforts during such a personally challenging time with the year’s Courage Award.

 

Premier Award            sponsored by mitie

Since 1985 the Paul Lynch Memorial Trophy has been awarded to an individual or group in recognition of a major contribution to the safety or security of the island of Ireland and her people. The award is a specially commissioned sculpture depicting a pair of clasped hands, which symbolize caring, strength and protection. It is presented in honour of Paul Lynch who died suddenly at the age of thirty-eight during his term as President of the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA).

 

John O’Driscoll, Former Assistant Commissioner (Organised & Serious Crime) was presented with this year’s {premier Award, Paul Lynch Memorial trophy. Former Assistant Commissioner O’Driscoll joined the force in 1981 and was originally stationed at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station in Dublin’s North Inner City. He rose through the ranks, serving in areas such as the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Garda National Drug Unit, and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and was promoted to Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, in 2016. He has served in multiple districts around the country, including many years in the Dublin Metropolitan Area as well as time in Swinford, Co. Mayo and Rathangan Co. Kildare.

Upon retirement Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D. stated “John O’Driscoll has served the State with integrity and distinction over the course of his 41-year career in policing. Throughout his career, and particularly in difficult days since 2016, John has embodied the finest tradition of An Garda Siochana. His experience, dedication and leadership ensured the success of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in effectively disrupting organised crime groups and bringing to justice many of the most serious criminals.

This year the ISIA was delighted to be able to recognise the work of former Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll and the contribution his work has made to all our safety and security with this year’s Premier Award, Paul Lynch Memorial Trophy.