Community celebrates Garda Leon's 6th birthday in style

Leon was diagnosed with Leukaemia in December 2020

There was a five minute helicopter flyover, armed response, both dog and mounted unit, a fire engine as well as civil defence, as emergency services joined in celebrating little Leon Briody's upcoming sixth birthday earlier today.

“Its incredible,” says mum Diane and the colour and pageantry on show at St Patrick's National School in Castletara where all Leon's schoolmates cheered his arrival.

Leon was diagnosed with Leukaemia in December 2020 and the brave boy has already commenced chemotherapy, which requires regular visits to Crumlin hospital for treatment.

He is due to go back into hospital next month, this time for a bone-marrow transplant, and the Little Blue Heroes charity and the Castletara school community chose to celebrate his birthday ahead of time.

The event was attended by Chief Superintendent for the region, Alan McGovern, and Cavan Superintendent Pauric Jones.

Cavan GAA senior team manager Mickey Graham was also on hand to present Leon's brother Caolan with a football signed by all the county players in recognition of both his love of the game and his support for his younger sibling throughout his battle with illness.

Detective Garda Anne-Marie Larkin told the Celt: “Its a great day, and fantastic to have the support. The Little Blue Heroes Foundation is a not-for-profit charity operated entirely by volunteers and made up of Garda members and staff, and retired Gardaí.”