A HUGELY successful UK civil engineering contractor with Kenmare roots was last night honoured with the Kerry Association London Person of the Year award for 2016.
The most prestigious Irish community award in the UK was presented to Brendan Riney, MBE, who left his native Kenmare in the 1940s, in recognition of the great charity work he undertakes in the London area.
Mr Riney spearheads JB Riney and Co, a successful civil engineering firm which has become one of the UK’s leading construction companies.
Four years ago he was presented with a MBE award from Prince Charles to honour his work setting up Mudchute City Farm, in Pier Street on the Isle of Dogs.
Mr Riney said: “I am very proud of my Kerry background especially my roots in Kenmare. I will do my best in my role as Kerry Person of the Year and very much look forward to an exciting year ahead.”
The presentation dinner was held in the Clayton Crown hotel, Cricklewood and the attendance included Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Michael O’Shea and his wife, Susan, and Clr Donal Grady from Killarney who heads up the Killarney-London Association.
Kerry Association chairman Dan Tim O’Sullivan auctioned a pair of football boots donated by Colm Cooper on the night and they fetched a cool €4,000 for charity.
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