The work of the murdered Lurgan solicitor, Ms Rosemary Nelson, work in defence of human rights was honoured at a reception in Downing Street last night. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, presented her husband, Paul, with a special award in recognition of her work at great personal risk.
The award is part of the Times/JUSTICE legal awards and is given each year to lawyers who have made significant contributions to the protection of human rights. Ms Nelson was nominated by the Belfast-based Committee on the Administration of Justice.
"Obviously I am pleased with this award which recognised the importance of the work Rosemary did," said Mr Nelson. "I am accepting it on behalf of our children and Rosemary's family. I am grateful to those who have honoured Rosemary in this way."
The award is sponsored by the Times of London and the human rights group JUSTICE.
The Rosemary Nelson Campaign group is urging the Taoiseach to support an independent international judicial investigation of her murder. The appeal is made in an advertisement in today's Irish Times.