The first scholarship awarded from the Ben Smyth Memorial Fund was "a testament to the love and friendship which [bound] the people in Ben's life together," the President, Mrs McAleese, said yesterday.
Ben Smyth was 14 when he was murdered outside his home at Cushlawn Park in Killinarden, west Tallaght, in August 1998. He died in Beaumont Hospital five days after he was stabbed through the head with a screwdriver following a verbal disagreement with two other boys.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at Killinarden Community School, the President said that as a parent herself she could think of nothing worse than losing a child in such "awful circumstances".
"Under these tragic circumstances, it would be entirely understandable if you were to turn away from the world in grief and despair. It is a measure of your courage and tenacity that you have not," she told those attending. These included Ben's parents, Peter and Fiona Smyth, and their three other children, David, Leslie and Rachel.
In response to Ben's death, friends and neighbours established the memorial fund last year, to help talented young people from the area get access to third-level education. As Ben was particularly interested in arts and drama, the funds are being targeted at young people hoping to study in this field.
Noel Mahoney (17) was its first recipient. A former pupil of Killinarden Community School, he said he was very honoured to win the scholarship. He is a student of theatre studies at Inchicore College, and the award means he will not have to work to support himself at college.
Mrs McAleese wished him well in his studies. "In your success, others will take pride and take heart," she said.
Ben's father, Mr Peter Smyth, a well-known community worker and anti-drugs activist, said the day was one of "mixed emotions" for him.
"It's very distressing, but it's also very uplifting," he said. "We all still miss him every day, think of him every day and are still getting used to the fact that it happened. But it is a comfort to know something good might have come out of what is essentially a disaster."
The Ben Smyth Memorial Fund hopes to make annual awards, and its fund-raising effort is ongoing. So far it has raised £9,000. Donations can be made to the fund at Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Tallaght, account number 41231294.
