TheDefenceForces

Lt Commander Roberta O’Brien, Ireland’s first female commander of a Naval Vessel has been announced as the inaugural C Woman of the Year Award 2011.  Over 90 women had been shortlisted for 18 categories and the overall C Woman of the Year 2011 was announced as Lt Commander Roberta O’Brien.

The winning citation read:-

The judges have decided that the recipient of the inaugural award for the C Woman of the Year awards 2011 is a woman who has brought exceptional pride to Ireland and to Cork, to women in all professions in Ireland and who has served her country with pride and distinction in the protection and safeguarding of our nation. A native of the Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary and based at Haulbowline island in Cork.

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.
Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The Naval Service must also be capable of supporting Army operations by sea lift and close naval support.