Galway woman Anna O Coinne has received an honorary doctorate from NUI Galway in recognition of her philanthropic work with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

"I said I'd be absolutely honoured and that the team at NBCRI would be honoured as well, because I didn't do any of it on my own," said Anna.

Anna formed Connaught Security Group Limited with her husband in 1978 and continued with her role in human resources until 1999, at which point it had become the largest privately owned security organisation in Ireland.

Anna has also served two terms as a director of Galway Harbour Company, between 1996 and 2006, and has been actively involved in the formation and growth of the Galway and District Business and Professional Women's Club, of which she was elected President in 1996.

When Anna was asked in 1989 to become involved in the establishment of NBCRI, she recalls that she jumped at the chance. The varied aspects of her background fed into her decision to become a part of the organisation and encouraged her to feel that her involvement would be a good fit.

"The fact that I had been a nurse, which gives me a certain perspective, and that a few of my friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer at that stage really encouraged me. I had to do something for people who are less fortunate than myself. And that has really encouraged me to keep going too."

A voluntary based charity, NBCRI was launched in 1991 by then-President Mary Robinson and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

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