Laois Garda will represent Irish law enforcement in Special Olympic torch run

Sergeant Paul Howard of Abbeyleix Garda station will represent An Garda Síochána in the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics winter games.

Sgt Howard is one of 106 enforcement officers around the globe to represent their country for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The flame of hope on the Olympic torch will be ran through local towns and villages surrounding Turin, with Sgt Howard expected to take part in two to three torch runs through Italy each day. The torch runs are around five kilometres each. 

"I first became involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run committee when I was in the Garda college, back in 2008," Sgt Howard explained.

"They came and gave a talk to our group, and it just really resonated with me. I don't have anyone involved in the Special Olympics, I just thought that it was such a good cause to support," he said.

Sgt Howard attended the Special Olympic team launch on Friday September 13, after the  Law Enforcement Torch Run committee chose him to represent An Gardaí Síochána with pride. 

Pictured: Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman with Sgt Paul Howard at Special Olympic team launch on September 13.

"We will run the torch through villages and towns, and then will take part in the opening ceremony running the torch with the athletes. 

"It's a lot of running, so I've been trying to train a small bit!" Sgt Howard said.

The games will take place from March 8 to 18 in Turin, Italy, bringing together over 1,500 athletes from 103 countries to compete in winter sports. 

While stationed in Limerick, Sgt Howard took part in multiple torch runs and medal presentations associated with the Special Olympics. 

"When I was stationed in Abbeyleix in 2022, one of the first things I did was look into involving the station in the Cops on Donuts fundraiser," he explained. 

The 'Cops on Donuts' fundraiser sees local Gardaí volunteering and selling donuts to the public to raise funds for the Special Olympics.

Pictured: Sgt Paul Howard with volunteers at Portlaoise Cops and Donuts event 2023.

"For the past two years, we sell around 2,000 donuts in the shopping centre to raise funds for the special olympics," the sergeant said.

"We raised almost €4,000 in Portlaoise alone last year, it was great," he said.

Last year, the donuts were supplied fresh on the morning of the sale from Kelly’s Family Bakery of Wexford Town, and sold at a cost of €2 for two or €5 for a box of six.

"We're already looking forward to running it again this year," Sgt Howard said. 

Best of luck to Sgt Howard as he undertakes the Olympic torch run next March!