A Galway woman studying accountancy and tax consultancy has been selected as one of the world's 10 outstanding young people.
Ms Gearoidin Burke (24), from Newcastle, Galway city, has been visually impaired from birth, but this didn't stop her receiving a first-class honours degree at NUI, Galway. She was selected as a winner in this year's "Outstanding Young Person of the Year" awards for her "academic leadership and/or accomplishment".
After birth, Ms Burke was diagnosed as having non-correctable eyesight due to permanent damage of her optic nerve. She is combining her apprenticeship in accountancy with work as a trainee tax consultant at accounting firm KPMG in Dublin.
The awards are run by Junior Chamber International, which selects what it regards as the world's finest individuals in 10 categories.