Marty Morrissey tells the nation Arranmore teen with Down Syndrome is 'remarkable'

RTÉ presenter Marty Morrissey said that an Arranmore teen with Down Syndrome who has taken a big step towards following his dream to work in the marine sector is “remarkable”.

Sixteen-year-old Seán Boyle recently passed his three-day Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Basic Safety Training course which will allow him to work on a boat or ferry.

Morrissey appeared on ‘Marty’s Regional Roundup’ on Today with Maura & Dáithí, RTÉ television’s afternoon show, and shared the story of Seán.

“He just loves the see and what he has done is remarkable,” Morrissey said. “His ambition is to get a job on the ferry, so he would go to the swimming pool every Saturday in Letterkenny. He learned how to swim and he learned about first aid and he got his certificate.

“Can you imagine the day in the school when it was announced over the public address about Seán Boyle having achieved this? They formed a guard of honour and Seán was the hero - and he’s my hero today. It’s just fantastic.”

A Transition Year student at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Árainn Mhór, Seán had to undergo three days of training at the BIM National Fisheries College in Greencastle to receive his safety card. The training involved tasks such as jumping into a pool with safety gear, going on a life raft on his own and doing elementary first aid.