Gardaí in West Cork are looking for people to nominate outstanding youngsters who are a credit to their communities so they can highlight their achievements at an annual awards ceremony.

A garda based in Bandon, Co Cork, is to get a special award next month for his role over the years in helping young people and promoting the good things they do.

Nominations are being sought for the West Cork Garda Youth Awards, one of the biggest community events on the region’s calendar.

A harbour town has launched an awards scheme to honour its unsung local heroes.

An underlying and undetected mental health epidemic is causing young at-risk people to turn to alcohol, drugs and, possibly, suicide.