Fifteen-year-old Jack Nagle is an entrepreneur from Castlemaine, Co Kerry. He won the People’s Choice Award for his Tractor Safe Lock device at the Innovation Arena. 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 engaging the handbrake to safely stop the tractor rolling.

Jack received huge interest in his device over the three days and has spoken with tractor manufacturers on taking on the product. Over 60 companies competed for the award that was run though the Irish Farmers Journal website. Many of the companies developed sales opportunities from the 100 overseas buyers that were brought in by Enterprise Ireland.

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