President Michael D Higgins had led the tributes to the three Kerry sisters who were named the overall winners in this year’s BT Young Science and Technology Competition.
Ciara (17), Saoirse (15) and Laoise (12) Murphy scooped the prestigious prize for their high-tech smartphone app which will help speed up response times to emergency calls.
President Higgins congratulated the Presentation Secondary School, Tralee students and he described their victory as “a wonderful achievement”.
Their winning entry was titled ACT: Aid, Care, Treat and their concept stole the show at the big event at the RDS in Dublin.
They worked in close association with Department of Health officials and emergency services personnel – including Gardai and the National Ambulance Service – when designing their award-winning app which is described as a technological aid, featuring a comprehensive repository of medical information.
There were scenes of great celebration when they were presented with the prize by BT Ireland Managing Director, Shay Walsh and Education Minister and Kerry TD, Norma Foley who was a teacher at Pres Tralee before she won a seat in the Dáil.
“This win is testament to their creativity, dedication and hard work and the tremendous support of their family, teachers and school,” the minister said.
The Murphy sisters, who are in fifth year, third year and first year, received a prize of €7,500 and a trophy and they will now represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Riga, Latvia as well as a trip to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
In total, 550 projects from 1,062 students participated at the exhibition.
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