Harvill Secker author Joseph O'Connor has been awarded the Irish PEN  for literature 2012. The highly prestigious prize was given at a gala reception in Dublin. PEN honours outstanding achievements in literature and shines a light on the plight of persecuted writers across the world.

Joseph's most recent novel is Ghost Light, described by Colm Toibin in the Telegraph as 'displaying an astonishing command of voice, using tones that are both tender and powerfully emotional.'