IRISH BOXER PADDY Barnes was named on the Queen’s New Year’s honours list for his services to boxing and the community.
Barnes, who won bronze medals at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was awarded an MBE.
“I am pleased to have been recognised in the Queen’s honours list for 2015 for my contribution to the sport of boxing and for my contribution to work in this community,” Barnes said in a statement.
I am a proud Irish sportsman, a proud sportsman from Belfast, and I take great pride in representing everyone in Ireland, north and south, in whatever way I can. If my achievements in boxing can inspire others and people can be united through sport, then my efforts will have been worthwhile.
Many thought Jonny Wilkinson would be given a knighthood by the Queen also after reports over the weekend, but strangely, the World Cup winner was absent from the list.
– First published 23.25, 30 Dec
