CJ Stander Shannon Airport surprise for two young Garda

CJ Stander Shannon Airport surprise for two young Garda.
Jordan and Ceejay with Ireland and Munster Rugby Star CJ Stander. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

CJ Stander Shannon Airport surprise for two young garda when they inspected Shannon Airport’s VIP room to find the Munster and Ireland Rugby star.

Ceejay aged four, from Co. Monaghan and Jordan aged eight, from nearby Sixmilebridge, were deployed to Shannon to assist in security checks for the day. The two young boys got the surprise of their lives when they checked the VIP room and found they had to run the rule over none other than the giant of Irish and world rugby.

The young security officers were detailed to the airport as part of an ongoing community initiative by the Garda Relations Bureau (GRB).

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Ceejay, who is undergoing intense treatment for leukemia, last year became an Garda Siochána’s youngest ever member and this weekend Jordan, who lives with muscular dystrophy, joined him on the very special beat courtesy of Chief Superintendent John Kerin and Superintendent Brendan McDonagh.

CJ Stander Shannon Airport surprise for two young Garda. Garda Ceejay McArdle and Garda Jordan Perez with Niall Maloney, Airport Operations Director, Shannon Airport, Chief Superintendent John Kerin and CJ Stander. when they inspected Shannon Airport’s VIP room today. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

Ceejay and Jordon had the added joy of flying into Shannon by the Department of Marine’s Search and Rescue helicopter (Rescue 115) and the chopper was given a special water cannon salute provided by the Airport Police Fire Service.  The boys then got a special tour of the airport’s fire station.

Although CJ Stander has been through Shannon on many occasions, he says this time was his most enjoyable. The Irish rugby star added, “They put a smile on my face certainly and I was delighted to meet them. You could meet just about anyone out here but I’m not sure I could have met any better than Ceejay and Jordan.”

Niall Maloney, Airport Operations Director, Shannon Airport said that CJ Stander giving his time created a memorable moment and put a smile on everybody involved. “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,” he added.

After their tour of duty, the young officers and their families were hosted for lunch by the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon and were then taken on a tour of Shannon Garda Station. Here, they resumed their duties and later carried out a checkpoint, handing out High Visibility Safety goods to motorists as part of a road safety promotion.

Garda Sgt Ann-Marie Starr, who led arrangements for the day said, “We have a lot of great members of the force but it’s fair to say that Ceejay and Jordan are right up there with the best.  They are definitely heroes and an inspiration to all of us and I think we got more out of the day than they did.  They are two very special boys and we are delighted to have been able to put this event together with Shannon Airport.”

You can find more information on Shannon Airport here.
For more information on Munster Rugby in the community, click here.
Here you can read past stories related to community.