Last year’s winner was PREDA founder and Dublin-born Columban missionary to the Philippines Fr Shay Cullen, who has led a campaign defending oppressed and exploited women and children in the Philippines for almost 50 years.

The 2016 recipient will be announced in late August and the award will be presented on 5 November during the 9th Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week.

Irish priest hero's role in saving 6,500 Jews and Allied soldiers during World War II to be marked next May.