Retired fireman in the running to be named Ireland's best lollipop person
A retired fireman who guides children safely across a busy road to school in East Cork is in the running to be named Ireland's best lollipop person.
Ger Gleeson, who has been standing outside Bunscoil Mhuire in Youghal, Co Cork, every school day for the last eight years helping kids to cross the road safely, was described 'as a hero' by those who voted for him as Munster winner in the Tonstix Lollipop person of the year competition.
'Ger cares so much about the safety of all of the children and is trusted by the parents at a very busy crossing,' one parent said.
In particular, Ger has a very special bond with the children who are in the school's autism unit who will come to Ger by themselves and put their hand in his to cross the road.
Ger, who is one of three men named as provincial winners in the competition, is among the hundreds of school traffic wardens around the country who ensure that primary school children cross public roads safely to and from school.
They can only stop vehicles if they are wearing their uniform and holding their distinctive lollipop-style 'stop' sign.
Anyone who fails to stop their vehicle for a lollipop person is guilty of an offence under Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act, and faces a fine of €160 and two penalty points.
Irish company, Tonstix Travel Pops, set out to honour these unsung road safety heroes by inviting people to nominate their favourite lollipop person.
Alongside Mr Gleeson in Munster, Naomi Doyle, who has worked as a lollipop lady outside Gaelscoil an tSeanchaí in Magherafelt, Derry, for 10 years was named the Ulster winner.
Naomi Doyle, who works outside Gaelscoil an tSeanchaí, Magherafelt, Derry.
The Leinster winner is Joe Quigley, who has worked for 16 years outside St Joseph's NS in Dundalk, Co Louth; and the Connaught winner is Thomas O'Brien, who works outside St Attractas NS in Charlestown, Co Mayo.
They are now being considered as the potential winner of the overall national title.
Sinead Crowther, the co-founder and CEO of Louth-based Soothing Solutions, which makes the Tonstix range of honey jelly pops that provide an alternative to children's lozenges, said they were delighted with the response to the competition.
'Lollipop people keep our children safe every day. They bring joy, smiles, and a sense of security to families across Ireland,' she said.
Voting for the winner opened on Friday, with the title set to be awarded on June 23, just before the summer holidays.
The winner will receive a trophy and a €1,000 travel voucher.
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