Two new garda recruits got quite a surprise when they inspected Shannon Airport’s VIP room today (Tuesday).
Gardaí Jordan Perez and Ceejay McArdle a duo with their own heroic stories, got an insight into how it’s possible to meet just about anyone – including their hero, Munster and Ireland rugby star CJ Stander at the airport.
Ceejay (4), from Castleblaney, County Monaghan and Jordan (8), from Sixmilebridge, were deployed to Shannon to assist in security checks for the day and when they checked the VIP room they found the internatinal rugby player.
The special security officers were detailed to the airport as part of an ongoing community initiative by the Garda Relations Bureau (GRB).
Ceejay, who is undergoing intense treatment for leukaemia, last year became an Garda Siochana’ s youngest ever member and this weekend Jordan, who is wheelchair bound with muscular dystrophy, joined him on the very special beat courtesy of Chief Superintendent John Kerin and Superintendent Brendan McDonagh.
Niall Maloney, airport operations director,“This was a very special moment for Ceejay, for Jordan but also for Shannon Airport. Shannon has an international reputation for the very special community atmosphere it fosters and this is further evidence of it.
“The guys were already having a great time following a visit to our fire station but things got a whole lot better for them when they entered the VIP lounge to carry out their inspection. The last thing they would have expected was to be inspecting CJ Stander.
“He’s a super guy and was delighted to give his time for what was a great moment and one that put a smile on all our faces.”
Said CJ Stander, “I’ve been through Shannon many times. But this is one of the days I have enjoyed the most as these are two fantastic and brave young boys.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.