Irene McGivern - December winner
During January and February 2003 a series of robberies took place in various parts of the city.
The victims were ladies who were in their 70s and 80s. Some of them were frail, and all were vulnerable. The robberies took various forms and included not only the threat, but also the use of actual violence. The robber might be free today had it not been for the public-spirited actions of two ladies, then unknown to each other, who became involved on separate occasions.
They were able to give help which, taken together, led to the arrest of the robber who later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment.
Irene McGivern was in Cheylesmore at about 11.45am on 11 February 2003. She saw a man in the process of robbing her neighbour. Irene McGivern shouted at him in an effort to protect her neighbour, at which the robber ran towards her, struggled with her, and grabbed her own bag.
To defend herself she began hitting the robber with her umbrella. He ran off, but although frightened and also very angry, Irene chased after him and saw him get into the driving seat of a car.
She took the registration number and reported the matter to the police, which led to the arrest of the robber.