First prize winners for the Poster category, Kamille Ochotnikova, Maria Miguel. Ainara Aquerreta Hernandez and Alan Lobodzinksi of Mullingar Community College; social media influencer James Doyle (Protein Bor Papi, @jamesdoylefitness), left, presented the awards; with Michael Rowland, director at the RSA, and John Hogan, chairman of IPB Insurance, (far right).

Mullingar Community College students win at National Road Safety Matters Awards

Published: Fri 1 May 2026, 11:00 AM

A group of students from Mullingar Community College are among the winners of the inaugural National Road Safety Matters Awards announced at ceremony in the Johnstown Estate, Enfield, this week.

Kamile Ochotnikova, Ainara Aquerreta, Beatriz Rodriguez, Lorena Ramos and Kotryna Macukeviciute won the Posters category.

The awards mark a milestone for the Road Safety Matters TY programme, launched in September 2024. Developed by the RSA, the programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to become safer road users. It provides a structured, step-by-step guide for both students and teachers to support young people on their road safety journey.

Through the programme, students explore the importance of sharing the road responsibly, while developing the values and behaviour required to navigate roads safely, whether as pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, or future drivers.

The ceremony honoured students in four categories: Lesson Plans – creating a road safety lesson for first-year students; Posters – designing a road safety awareness poster; Video – producing a short educational video for vulnerable road users; High-Visibility – developing a student-friendly high-visibility item for teenagers.

The High Visibility category was won by Amy Kilduff, Aaron Morrissey and Clodagh Cummins from Oaklands Community College, Edenderry.

The Lesson Plans category was won by Ruby Cairns, Ella Ryan, Emily Ryan, Robert Corrigan and Sean Mohlley from Rockwell College, Tipperary.

The Video category was won by Ronan O Sullivan, Micheál Creed, Ruadhán Doherty, and Ultan O Tuama from De La Salle College, Macroom.

The awards were presented by social media influencer James Doyle, who commended the students for their innovation and commitment to road safety.

Addressing attendees, Sean Canney, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “I would like to commend the students, supported by their teachers and parents, for the work that has gone into these projects – it is heartening to see young people so invested in road safety. I hope the knowledge you have gained from this TY programme will be retained as you go out in life and use our roads. You are the future road users in Ireland.”

John Hogan, chairman of IPB Insurance, which sponsors the Road Safety Matters programme, said: “At IPB Insurance, we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people to make a real difference in their communities. The standard of work demonstrated by these students is exceptional, and it is clear that the Road Safety Matters programme is fostering a strong culture of responsibility, awareness and innovation among Ireland’s future road users.”

Michael Rowland, director at the RSA, added: “These awards highlight the powerful role young people can play in shaping safer roads. The creativity and insight shown by students across all categories demonstrates not only their understanding of road safety, but their commitment to influencing positive behaviour among their peers and wider communities.”

Attendees at the event also experienced the RSA Road Safety Shuttle, a mobile interactive unit featuring immersive simulations, virtual reality experiences and hands-on activities designed to educate the public on road safety in an engaging and impactful way.