WATCH: Offaly girl Kitty made an honorary garda at Little Blue Heroes ceremony

Kitty Lynam from Durrow, Co. Offaly was one of the 31 honorary graduates at the Little Blue Heroes ceremony at the Garda college in Templemore on August 19. Kitty was well supported by her extended family, who were ecstatic to welcome Kitty to the force.

The Offaly family have three Gardaí already in their family - not including Kitty - which made the ceremony all the more special for them. 

Kitty's parents Paul and Eimear spoke about how important the Little Blue Heroes charity has been for Kitty and the support which it has offered the family.

Families and spectators were treated to a marching performance from the Garda class of 2025, intake 244 - who are set to graduate themselves on Friday, August 22. 

Children and teenagers with serious illnesses received honorary degrees, badges, and ice cream. 

Comedian and actor Pat Shortt was in attendance at the event representing the Blue Knights motorcycle club, to the delight of many parents and infant honorary Gardaí.

Paw Patrol and Minnie Mouse also hit the scene and proved to be very popular with the Little Blue Heroes. 

The Gardaí have raised one million Euro for the Little Blue Heroes, according to the charity’s co-founder Alan Roughneen.

The charity also runs a buddy program, where an assigned volunteer Garda will regularly visit a family that they are paired with. 

After a parade of motorcycles, children, and garda escorts, Alan Roughneen gave a speech thanking the Little Blue Heroes for their “ongoing engagement and friendship with our Garda Buddies” saying that their effort is “what makes our honourary Garda program work”. 

The Little Blue Heroes Foundation was established in 2017, and is a charity led by Garda members, retired Garda members and people from local communities on a voluntary basis.