Lisa O'Rourke to be conferred with Freedom of Roscommon

World gold medal boxing sensation, Lisa O’Rourke, is set to add another accolade to her growing list of honours by having the freedom of her native county Roscommon bestowed on her.

Standing Orders were suspended at the May monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council today (Monday) to congratulate the 20-year old Castlerea boxer on her magnificent achievement in winning a gold medal on her debut at the World Boxing Championships in Istanbul.

Lavish words of praise were heaped on the young boxer by Councillors from all sides of the political divide, with Fianna Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, who is a native of Castlerea, proposing that she should be conferred with the Freedom of Roscommon in recognition of the honour she has brought to her home county.

Cllr Fitzmaurice, who was instrumental in organising a hugely-successful homecoming celebration in Castlerea on Saturday night for Lisa O’Rourke, said he was struck by “the modesty” of the O’Rourke family in the face of such a huge achievement on the world sporting stage.

“Both Lisa and her older sister, Aoife, who is also a magnificent boxer and represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics last year, are a credit to their family, their county and their country” he said.

The proposal to grant the young Castlerea boxer the Freedom of Roscommon was unanimously agreed by members at today’s meeting, with Cllr Donal Kilduff describing her as “a hero in the county” and Cllr John Keogh stating that she was “a wonderful ambassador for Roscommon.”

Chief Executive, Eugene Cummins, described the world boxing champion as “a huge example of determination and belief” and also paid tribute to her older sister, Aoife, on her boxing achievements.

Tributes were also paid to the many volunteers, coaches and mentors who have contributed to the success of Irish boxing on the world stage, including the volunteers in Castlerea Boxing Club, where both Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke first started boxing.