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20th June 2008

4th Class Louth Student Wins National Award for MACE Safe to School Art Competition - Minister for Justice, Law Reform and Equality, Dermot Ahern, T.D., Congratulates Winning Student

Minister Dermot Ahern, attended a special ceremony in Croke Park today (20th June) to announce the national winner of the MACE Safe to School art competition and present him with a well deserved prize.

Suspense has been rife among students at S.N Muire na nGael in Bay Estate, Dundalk Co. Louth as the winning student’s name has remained a mystery for the last number of weeks. Thirty-one 4th class students travelled to Dublin with their teacher to await the announcement.

Nine year old Morgan McLoughlin was stunned when Louth born, Minister Dermot Ahern T.D announced him as the national winner. Morgan beat off stiff competition from over 8,000 entries received from primary school pupils nationwide.

The MACE Safe Cycling to School art competition is part of the MACE Safe to School Campaign which is supported by the Road Safety Authority and is in its second year. The initiative encourages students to draw or paint a poster on the theme of cycling to school safely and was open to primary schools nationwide.

Morgans picture wowed the adjudication panel, which consisted of both MACE and Road Safety Authority representatives. The poster highlighted the importance of cycle lanes and highlighted a number of important aspects of road safety.

As part of his prize Morgan received a Raleigh bicycle, helmet, engraved medal as well as €1000 for his school to spend on educational equipment. His class will also receive a ‘Cycling Safety and Skills School’ fun workshop in September.

The class were also treated to a surprise party with entertainment from popular magician Jack Wise, a tour of Croke Park Museum and stadium and an educational presentation from Angela Teahan of the Road Safety Authority.

Complimenting the Road Safety Authority and Mace, Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern, T.D. said:

"I am delighted to be associated with the MACE Safe Cycling to School Art Competition and I want to thank all those involved in MACE for their efforts in this worthwhile campaign. I also want to congratulate the participants of the competition for all their hard work. Road Safety is a top priority for me and my colleagues in the government and this initiative relating to safety, education and awareness is a fantastic example of how to involve the younger generation".

Congratulating Morgan on his win, competition organiser, Brian O' Toole of MACE said:

"This campaign has been a phenomenal success in terms of driving home road safety messages to primary school children nationwide. When we travelled to winning schools across the country to present the county awards we were overwhelmed by the support, enthusiasm and interest we received from the teachers and students".

The Cycle Safely to School Campaign was launched by RSA Chairman, Gay Byrne in February 2008 and is inspired by the Safety and Protection strand within the Social, Personal and Health education segment of the primary school curriculum.

Throughout the month of February 2008 more than 3,300 Irish and English speaking primary schools nationwide received educational safety packs which included classroom posters, wall charts, and a DVD all based around safely cycling on the road and the safe cross code.

Michael Rowland, Director of Road Safety research and driver education of the Road Safety Authority said:

"The Road Safety Authority is delighted to partner with MACE in this innovative project for the second year running. With so many children cycling to and from school each year, their safety on the roads is of paramount importance. Children’s safety is fundamental to every parent, teacher and guardian and campaigns like these are designed to teach good road safety habits from the earliest age. By educating and raising children’s awareness about road safety we are ingraining a life lesson in their minds".

For Further information please contact:

Slattery Communications:
Genevieve Ryan:
M: 086 8846277
E: Genevieve.ryan@scomms.ie

Brian Farrell, Communications Manager
Road Safety Authority
M: 086 3881009
E: Brianfarrell@rsa.ie