The winners of the 61st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) have been announced. Sisters Ciara Murphy (17), Saoirse Murphy (15), and Laoise Murphy (12), from Presentation Secondary School Tralee in Kerry, have won the top prize with their project, ACT (Aid Care Treat): App-timising emergency response. The BTYSTE perpetual trophy was presented to the winners this evening at the RDS in Dublin by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.
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 the Gardai, to maximise the potential of the app.
Professor Joe Barry, Chair of the Health & 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, for the first time, as the overall BTYSTE winners, they will be awarded a trip to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, said:
"I’d like to sincerely congratulate Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise from Presentation Secondary School Tralee in Kerry on their extraordinary achievement of winning top prize in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2025. This win is testament to their creativity, dedication, and hard work and the tremendous support of their family, teachers, and school."
Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, said:
"It has been an incredible week here at the RDS Dublin, and I would like to congratulate all the participants and finalists of this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, who have not only showcased some truly innovative project ideas, but have also done themselves, their teachers and schools, and families proud."
The exhibition continues tomorrow, January 11, and tickets are available through the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition website or onsite at the RDS in Dublin.
Video highlights are available to watch on the BT Young Scientist YouTube channel at youtube.com/@BTYoungScientists.
