'A thorough gentleman': Praise for former photographer with The Echo

ADVOCATE of the elderly in Cork and organiser of the Over 60s Talent Competition, Paddy O’Brien, has acknowledged Bishop John Buckley and well-known photographer Denis Minihane for their support over the years.

Marking Mr Minihane’s recent retirement from The Echo and Irish Examiner titles, Mr O’Brien organised a lunch with Bishop Buckley and Mr Minihane.

During the lunch, Mr O’Brien acknowledged their support of the Over 60s Talent Competition which he founded in 1977 as a means to help combat loneliness among the aged. Mr O’Brien said he first came in contact with Mr Minihane in 1978 while running the heats of the competition.

“I would describe Denis as a thorough gentleman,” he said. “He always has a lovely smile and he was always so courteous and friendly to the people in the Over 60s.”

Mr O’Brien also thanked Bishop Buckley for his support for the competition and who also “would attend most of the local heats each year and would attend the final”.