Jack Nagle, a 15-year-old entrepreneur from Castlemaine, Co Kerry, has won the People's Choice Award for his Tractor Safe Lock device on Thursday.

The device automatically engages the handbrake in a tractor when the operator leaves the seat. As soon as the operator takes the tractor out of gear, the device activates through a pressure switch on the seat, pushing up the handbrake to safely stop the tractor rolling. James Maloney of Enterprise Ireland praised Jack and said the award shows how the next generation will drive innovation in Irish agriculture.

Jack, who was delighted with the award, has received huge interest in his device over the three days and has had talked with tractor manufacturers on taking on the product.

More than 60 companies competed for the award that was run though the Irish Farmers Journal website. Many of the companies have developed sales opportunities from over 100 overseas buyers that were brought in by Enterprise Ireland.

The Innovation Arena is run by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Farmers Journal and the National Ploughing Association.

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