Latest news with #LittleBlueHero
RTÉ News
24-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Little Blue heroes to get VIP treatment at Leinster House
Leinster House will play host to a group of very special VIP guests from Co Tipperary later today, with nine Little Blue Heroes arriving for a tour. One of those is six-year-old Honorary Garda Joey Moss, who has been part of the Little Blue Heroes Foundation for the last three years. Little Blue Heroes was set up in 2017 to support families of children with serious illnesses, both practically and financially, as well as empowering children through positive community engagement. The charity is voluntarily led by serving garda members, retired garda members and others in the community. Honorary Garda Joey will travel to Dublin with his mother Dervla Anderson. He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had undergone two surgeries before he was three years old. Shortly before his third birthday, Joey was due to undergo another procedure, however a complication meant it did not go ahead. "We went in for his final stage of surgery, but unfortunately they realised that Joey had pulmonary hypertension, so they were unable to go ahead with the last stage of surgery and it was a bit upsetting because we had hoped to have his third birthday party a few weeks later," Dervla explained. As he could not celebrate his birthday properly that year, Dervla reached out to local gardaí in Clonmel to see if they could send a patrol car to their house to surprise him as he was "obsessed with the emergency services". She said they obliged with a "show" for Joey, which included a number of emergency vehicles, and then went one better by putting him forward to become a Little Blue Hero. "He was actually presented with his own special garda car, and for his fourth birthday they came again and repeated what they had done the previous year, but this time the Little Blue Heroes came with the motorbike. So, they have absolutely been phenomenal to us as a family and Joey especially", she added. Joey takes his role as an honorary garda very seriously. "I have to help people, and I have to show respect. I have to wear my uniform and I'm happy that I have to wear my uniform and the reason I became a garda is because of my open-heart surgery and I was so surprised when they came for my birthday," he said. He said that being an Honorary Garda is "cool" and that he really enjoys wearing his uniform and going out on the beat. When asked if being garda was something he'd like to do when he's older, Joey said: "That was my dream." Today's event at Leinster House was arranged by Clonmel Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy and will see the honorary gardaí from South Tipperary greeted by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreaking tributes paid to honorary garda after ‘brave' toddler dies from long illness
TRIBUTES are being paid to a "brave" young honorary garda after she died following a long illness. Honorary 2 Brave Saoirse's 'impact was immeasurable' 2 Little Saoirse was an honorary garda An Garda Síochána took to social media to pay tribute to the young girl. They said: "Our hearts are saddened to hear that one of our Little Blue Heroes in Mayo, Honorary Garda Saoirse Duggan passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha. "Her laughter, spirit, and her gentle soul touched everyone who knew her. "Saoirse's time with us was far too short, but her impact was immeasurable. READ MORE IN HEALTH "Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam. "Little Blue Hero laid to rest, she wore the uniform and gave her best, "Little Blue Hero fought so brave every day, honour and courage every step of the way. "Little Blue Hero smiled when you greet, now to take up duty on a heavenly beat. Most read in Health "Little Blue Hero we will never forget and always remember the times we had met. "Little Blue Hero under your care watch down upon us and your guiding light." A number of people commented on the post to send their condolences to Saoirse's family. One person said: "Rest in peace little Saoirse and may God give your parents and family strength at this difficult time. "Thinking of you all. May this beautiful angel. Rest in peace." Another added: "Rest in peace little angel." Meelick-Eyrecourt GAA wrote online: "Meelick-Eyrecourt GAA would like to offer sincere condolences to the O'Brien family on the passing of Saoirse. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis." Someone else wrote: "Heartbreaking, condolences to all her friends and family, fly high Saoirse." Saoirse's family said they are "heartbroken" and that she will be "sadly missed". Her death notice reads: "We are heartbroken to share the unbearable news that our precious little girl, Saoirse Duggan, passed away peacefully after a long illness so bravely borne, leaving behind her devastated parents Tommy and Martina and sister Éabha. "Saoirse leaves behind her beloved family and will be sadly missed by her loving parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and her large group of friends and the wider Duggan, O'Brien, Heneghan and Mahon families." The family added: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the medical and healthcare staff who looked after Saoirse with such care, kindness, and love during her illness. "Donations if desired to a Children's Cancer Charity of your choice."
