'Garda for a Day' gives Cork children a break from hospital and a day of adventure

Children from Cork University Hospital became Gardaí for a day in a heartwarming event filled with hope, courage and fun

Emily Crowley doesn’t like needles or blood tests but the 10-year-old loves horses and sunshine and had the best day ever on Thursday when she graduated as a ‘garda for a day’ as part of a very special initiative designed to uplift and inspire.

Emily, from Carrigtwohill, in Cork, was among a cohort of kids, aged from five to 12 and who are out-patients at Cork University Hospital (CUH), who took a break from their medical appointments to undergo intense and focused training at Togher garda station, then graduate and embark on a fantastic day of adventure, that included a water-based insertion into the high security Irish naval service HQ at Haulbowline.

She was a bit taken aback when she saw just how tall and imposing chestnut garda horse Ruairí is in real life but she still managed to smile for a few photos with him.

“I don’t really like needles when my blood tests are being done. It’s not really nice. But this is great fun and I’m enjoying the sunshine,” she said.

(Left to right) Nathan, Brook, and Emily learn about the Armed Support Unit at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

Her mum, Charlotte, who was there with her other children, Brook, six, and Nathan, four, said Emily has had a few difficult months. 

She was diagnosed with autism in March and with diabetes about a month later.

“It’s just been one thing after another. We were told about one thing, and she’s just had a few difficult months but in fairness to her, she’s an amazing kid and is just getting on with it,” Charlotte said.

Young trainees Ellie O'Regan and Kate Ryan meet garda horse Ruairi and his rider Garda Shane Barry with (left) Garda Mairead Enneguess at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

“Nathan was diagnosed with autism four weeks after her and she’s just fantastic with him as well.

“A day like this is great because over the last few months, we’ve just had one thing after the other with Emily and Nathan.

“There’s been a lot going on for them, so even for Brook, our middle child, today is great for her to get out and enjoy the day because it’s always been about appointments for the other two.

“It’s just great for the family to just do something normal.”

Trainees parade to the graduation ceremony at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

Operation ‘garda for a day’ began at CUH early Thursday where Emily and her fellow trainees were divided into five teams, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo, for transport under garda escort to Togher garda station where more than two dozen gardaí, who had volunteered their time, were waiting for the new recruits.

The class of May 1 got to batter members of the public order unit with water balloons, they met members of the armed support unit, the roads policing unit, scenes of crime experts, and members of the garda dog and the garda mounted unit.

And after a formal parade and graduation ceremony an hour later, they were all presented with a personalised certificate deeming them proficient in working with the various garda units, in firearms, public order, crime scene investigation, roads policing and custody of prisoners.

Chief Supt Tom Myers presented each new trainee with an ID badge which gave them access to highly sensitive sites, including Cork City Fire Brigade’s main station at Anglesea St, a boat trip to the Irish Naval Base in Haulbowline, thanks to special arrangements with the Port of Cork, and Cork District Courthouse, where they met a judge.

Young trainee Molly Deasy receives her graduation certificate from Chief Superintendent Tom Myers at the graduation ceremony at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

Supt Finbarr O’Sullivan and Gillian Kelleher, the paediatric directorate manager at CUH, were among the main organisers of the event.

“This is about so much more than a fun day out,” Supt O’Sullivan said.

“It’s about showing these young people that no matter the challenges they face, they are capable, they are valued, and they belong.

Reece (right) learns about crowd control and the work of the public order unit at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

“Initiatives like this help build a bridge between our services and the community we serve – especially its youngest and bravest members.”

Ms Kelleher said the initiative was designed not just to uplift the children for a day, but to inspire them.

“This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for 25 of our children to step outside the hospital walls and into a world of possibility, where they are not defined by their illness or disability, but celebrated for their dreams, courage, and potential,” she said.

“We want to show them what’s out there for them, that just because they have an illness, and they have to attend hospital, that they can go on to become a guard or a firefighter.”

Sergeant David White, who lost his right leg after being struck by a car while on roads policing duty in 2022, also helped co-ordinate the event and said: “Disability or illness should never be a barrier to contributing to society or dreaming big. Today’s event was about empowerment, encouragement and connection.”

David Browne, the Port of Cork’s community liaison officer, said it was privilege to play a small part in such a meaningful event.

Chief Supt Myers said gardaí spend a lot of time and energy on community policing.

“Days like today make it all worthwhile. I’m delighted to see we got 25 new gardaí for a day, and who knows, some of them might join us in later life, and we’d be delighted to have them,” he said.

Nathan and Ian meet Rex from the Garda Dog Unit at the training programme at Togher Garda Station. Picture: Larry Cummins

Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster said community engagement like this is the bedrock of An Garda Siochana and has been since the foundation of the state.

“We’ve had to move and pivot with the times but it is always about community. There are good days and bad days in the guards but this is one of the great days,” she said.