The 2016 Tipperary International Peace Prize is being presented at a ceremony in West Tipperary this lunchtime.
The White Helmets – who are part of the Syrian civil defence – are being honoured for their work during the conflict there.
A small number of protesters greeted those arriving at Ballykisteen Hotel for this afternoons Tipperary International Peace Award presentation.
The selection of the Syrian civil defence group which has saved thousands of lives during the conflict has proven to be a contentious one.
The White Helmets were chosen by the convention as the recipients for the 2016 award for their enormous bravery and courage in saving more than 100,000 people in war torn Syria.
Upwards of 200 of the unarmed volunteers have lost their lives while saving others.
The Tipperary Peace Prize for 2016 was presented to Nedal Izdden who represented the White Helmets at today’s ceremony in Limerick Junction.
They join a list of famous previous recipients that includes Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Malala Yousafzai and John Kerry.
However their selection was met with some opposition, with a number of groups protesting outside the hotel
However, inside the hotel members of Ireland’s Syrian community, along with representatives from Ireland’s emergency services are attending todays ceremony in Ballykisteen Hotel.
