Sarah Flannery is named the Young Scientist of the year for a project that looks at making digital communication more secure.
Sarah Flannery's project Cryptography A New Algorithm has a very practical application and the potential to make her a lot of money. The project focuses on encryption, a coded system for sending messages making internet shopping more secure and preventing emails from being intercepted.
It's been called the science of secrecy.
This year the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition saw almost twice as many entries from girls than boys. Girl power was in operation as the prizes were presented by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the RDS.
Winners in the group category were 16 year olds Christine McCrudden and Caitriona Lagan Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast for their study of a marine parasite, 'How the experts got it wrong'.
The experts were overwhelmed by this year's winner Sarah Flannery.
One of the founders of the Young Scientist Exhibition, Dr Tony Scott, believes that if Sarah Flannery plays her cards right, she could make a lot of money out of the project.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 January 1999. The reporter is Margaret Ward.
