An Irish teenager born without limbs has been given a €50,000 donation from the United Nations.

Addressing the UN in New York last year Joanne O'Riordan challenged the high-tech sector to build her a robot to assist her in her daily life.

She had been chosen to speak at the 'Girls in Technology' conference.

"I want to live an independent life....I don't want to live in the shadow of others, because I want to make my own journey in life; and I know that if I'm given the chance, I can and will succeed" she told delegates.

Joanne speaking at the UN last year

She outlined the importance of technology in her life and challenged those present to build her a robot.

"Yes, that's right a robot...It sounds almost insane - but as a child and even today I've always wanted and would love to have a robot" she said.

"The main thing the robot would be doing is picking up the objects I drop...I know there must be someone out there in the world who can do something like this to make life much easier" she added.

The O'Riordan family is now looking at ways to build on the donation as a they would need to raise at least €100,000 to build the necessary technology for the 17-year-old.