Court’s ‘poor box’ to help fund youth achievement awards
One district court judge has decided his court’s fine boxes will contribute to an event at which young people will be saluted by their peers for the tremendous effort they make to help those less fortunate.
Judge Brian Sheridan will commit some money from the court’s “poor box” to help fund the Garda Cork North Division’s Youth Achievement Awards in Mallow on Mar 12.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals has also stepped in to provide money for the event.
Chief Superintendent Ger Dillane in charge of policing the division — which controls most of north and east Cork — said that he was delighted with the sponsorship.
He said the public “often heard negative press about some young people” and this event “would highlight the good a lot of them don’t get praise for”.
He has urged communities, organisations and clubs to nominate people aged between 14-19 who they feel deserve an accolade.
“We’re not looking for superheroes, but young people who do that little bit extra to make life better for their communities,” Chief Supt Dillane said.
Inspector Eddie Golden, chairman of the organising committee, said nominations could be made on behalf of groups of young people, or individuals, providing the nominee was between those age groups on Dec 31 last and resided in the Cork North Garda Division area.
He explained that although policing of the Glanmire, Carrigtwohill and Cobh areas had been recently taken over by the Cork City Garda Division, people residing there up to Dec 31 last were still eligible to be nominated for the awards ceremony and he hoped they would.
“Around 10 awards will be made on the night to deserving young people who will be picked by a panel of judges made up of prominent people, including former District Court Judge Michael Pattwell. Then there will be one overall winner announced,” Insp Golden said.
Ger O’Brien, chairman of Janssen Pharmaceuticals community care group, said he approached his company with the idea of co-sponsoring the event. “I asked our managing director Kryan Johnson and he said he would be delighted to help out,” Mr O’Brien said.
* Nomination forms can be obtained at Fermoy, Mallow, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Midleton, Youghal, Cobh and Glanmire Garda stations. They have to be returned to Garda Margaret O’Connell, Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO), Midleton Garda Station by noon on Feb 7. She can be contacted at (021) 4621555.
