Ninety-three-year-old inventor back at Tullamore Show

Ninety-three-year-old inventor Tony Bergin is still brain-storming and coming up with new ideas for the Tullamore Show's Inventions Section.

The retired dairy farmer is back at the show again this year with his multi-purpose walking aid invention.

Tony has been coming to Tullamore for over 25 years and in that time has scooped numerous awards.

“It's amazing that since the first time I came to Tullamore the passion has never left me and I always look forward to coming back,” he said.

“The enjoyment it created for me was something else . . . if I get people relief that is my reward.”

Tony is from Cooleshall, just outside Roscrea in south Offaly and his farm is located where the three counties - Offaly, Tipperary and Laois – meet.

His entry this year is designed for people with reduced walking abilities.

The walking aid has two wheels on the front and two sliders on the back which allow it to move safely and steadily over any surface without the need for brakes.

The invention also has a seat which can be adapted into a shelf and there is also a smaller shelf.

The aid, which can be assembled quickly, has two rings which can be used as foot rests while sitting on a chair in the evening.

The foot rests can also be used to exercise knees and hips by pushing backwards and forwards with the user's feet.