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A sergeant at Killarney Garda Station was this week honoured with a national award for his dedication to road safety.

On Wednesday, Sergeant Dermot O’Connell, sergeant-in-charge at the station, received the accolade from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for his fun and interactive road safety campaign ‘Operation Páistí’, developed to make it easier for parents and children to understand the safest way to restrain children in cars.

The award was presented to Sergeant O’Connell by RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell at the 11th annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards at Croke Park.

The campaign was initially implemented through the Garda schools programme and is now in the process of being expanded both divisionally and nationally, with the support of key agencies, including the Road Safety Authority, Department of Education and Skills, Local Authorities, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and various media outlets.

“Congratulations to everyone who received an award today and on behalf of all road users, thank you for your commitment and dedication to making our roads safer,” Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD said.

The judging panel also decided to make a Special Recognition Award to retired Garda Maurice McCabe who is recognised as a Leading Light in road safety for all the work he has done in bringing the cancellation of penalty points to light and helping to bring about reform.