Laois Garda to take part in Special Olympics torch run at Italy Winter Games

A Laois Garda Sergeant is getting ready to travel to Italy for the Special Olympics Winter Games and will join 100 other police officers throughout the world as they take part in the opening ceremony torch run.
 
Sgt Paul Howard of Abbeyleix Garda Station was invited to Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast on Thursday by First Minister Michelle O' Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly and Speaker of the Northern Assembly, Mr Edwin Poots to wish the Special Olympic athletes well in the upcoming Games which take place in Turin from March 8 to 16. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Sgt Howard joined PSNI colleagues, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, PC Becky Minish and Mr Jeremy Adams MBE (Retired Inspector) of the Police Service of Northern Ireland who were all representing the Law Enforcement Torch Run Ireland Committee. The flame of hope on the Olympic torch will be run 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. 
 
Sgt Howard and PC Minish will be traveling to Turin for the World Winter Games which will see 1,500 athletes compete from 103 countries. Among them are 14 exceptional athletes who will represent Team Ireland in Alpine Skiing and Floorball.

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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," the Laois Garda explained. 

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