Ciara (17), Saoirse (15), and Laoise (12) Murphy from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, received their award from Minister for Education Norma Foley at a ceremony on Friday evening at the RDS.

Their project, ACT, Is a medical assistance app designed to improve emergency healthcare responses. It integrates critical features to facilitate swift and effective aid in urgent situations. This marks the second year the project has been recognized at the exhibition, having been named Runner-Up Group in 2024.

Over the past year, the sisters collaborated with public and private sector stakeholders to refine their app. ACT addresses challenges in transmitting medical data efficiently to emergency services, ensuring faster and more accurate responses. The app also includes a geolocation-sharing feature, allowing emergency teams to receive precise coordinates. Once transmitted, this data can be shared with dispatch control centres, mobile units, and hospitals within seconds.


In developing the app, Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise worked closely with the Department of Health, the HSE, the National Ambulance Service, and gardaí to maximize its effectiveness.

Professor Joe Barry, chair of the Health and Wellbeing judging panel, praised the project, stating:

“I would like to congratulate Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise on their outstanding achievement. This technology has the potential to save lives and shorten recovery times. With the support of emergency services, it could make a real difference in critical situations.”

Along with the €7,500 grand prize, the sisters will represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Riga, Latvia, later this year.

Additionally, as overall winners of BTYSTE 2025, Ciara, Saoirse, and Laoise—along with the Best Individual winner—will be awarded a trip to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan for the first time in the competition’s history.