Liam Neeson accepts Freedom of Borough

Ballymena Borough Council supported notion to offer Liam Neeson Freedom of the Borough

13:07 08 November 2012

Last week, Mayor of Ballymena PJ McAvoy revealed that he proposed giving Liam Neeson the Freedom of Borough at a council meeting set on November 5th. On Monday, the unanimous decision of Ballymena Borough Council to give Neeson the prestigious award was published in Ballymena Times.

 

Mayor McAvoy said during the council meeting that he’s happy about the decision

 

He told the BBC: “I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues have unanimously agreed to offer what is a very significant honour to Liam Neeson.

 

This is the highest accolade that a Council can bestow on one of it’s citizens.

 

“He thoroughly deserves this, he is a worldwide star and the best known Ballymena man in the world.”

 

The award is given to both individuals and groups of people who separate themselves from others through hard work, and recognize the respect and high esteem in which they are held by the people of Ballymena.

Previous recipients of the award include Dr. Iam Paisley, Dr Syd Millar, and Sandy Spence.

Neeson was seemingly honoured and delighted to accept the award.

Speaking from his home in New York he said, as quoted by the BBC: “Enormous strides have been made in my native Northern Ireland in the past decade, demonstrated by political, social and economic changes that came about through a combination of courage, generosity and persistence.”