Three Kerry sisters win top prize at BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition

Three sisters from Co Kerry have won the overall prize at the 2025 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for their development of a smartphone app that improves the response by health services in emergencies.

Sisters Ciara (17), Saoirse (15) and Laoise (12) Murphy from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, were presented with their prize by Minister for Education Norma Foley at an awards ceremony on Friday evening at the RDS.

ACT is a medical assistance app designed to support emergency healthcare responses. It integrates crucial features to provide swift and effective aid during critical situations. This is the second year this project has been recognised at the exhibition having previously been awarded Runner-Up Group in 2024.

Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise have spent the last 12 months working on their project along with public and private sector stakeholders. The transformative app is designed to tackle challenges in transferring medical data effectively and efficiently to the emergency services.

The app also has the capability to share precise geolocation co-ordinates. Once the data reaches the emergency services, there is the possibility for onward transmission to the dispatch control centres, the attending mobile units, and the hospitals in a matter of seconds.

During the project Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise built a working relationship with the Department of Health, the HSE and the National Ambulance Service, together with gardaí, to maximise the potential of the app.

Professor Joe Barry, chair of the health and wellbeing group judges, said: “I would like to congratulate Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise on bringing this project so far. The use of this technology has the potential to save lives and reduce recovery times. This project with the support of the emergency services has the potential to make a real difference in helping citizens in an emergency situation.”

In addition to receiving the top prize of €7,500, Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) this year in Riga, Latvia.

Also, this year for the first time, Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise as the overall BTYSTE winners, together with the Best Individual winner, will be awarded a trip to the World Expo, in Osaka, Japan.