Channel swimmer among eight young people honoured at Garda awards

EIGHT young people and two groups from north and east Cork have been honoured by Gardaí for outstanding contributions to their communities and charities.

One of the winners of the annual Cork North Garda Division youth achievement awards was Owen O’Keefe, who raised €15,000 for cancer research when he became the youngest Irish person to swim the English Channel.

Last September, aged 15, he swam the channel in 10 hours and 19 minutes, the fastest time ever recorded by an Irish person. He decided to undertake the fundraiser after his grandmother, Virgie Baker, died from cancer.

Sarah O’Callaghan’s voluntary efforts with Glanmire Youth Development Project were also recognised. Trained in child protection and first aid, she worked selflessly with children with both learning and physical disabilities.

Sarah is now fundraising for a Child-Aid project and has run the Evening Echo mini marathon for the past 10 years to raise cash for leukaemia patients at CUH.

Another winner, Ciara Roche – a 5th year student at Cobh Community College – is a prominent member of a club which organises non-alcohol events for young people. She recently completed a suicide awareness course.

Aoife Hill from Midleton was recognised for coaching mini rugby, giving up hours of her spare time to teach the skills to 20 children, some as young as four.

Killian Daly was honoured for his work with the Foróige Youth Club in Youghal and helped Gardaí set up a soccer tournament in the town. He wants to be a professional youth worker.

Kevin Healy, a student at the Patrician Academy, Mallow, was honoured for his volunteer work with the Animal Care Society. He has rescued hundreds of stray and mistreated animals and is hoping to become a vet.

Ayman Scuffins, also from Mallow, was recognised for his efforts in getting young people involved in drama.

Six students who formed the Green Mile Project in Charleville were lauded for getting more pupils to walk to school. They also organised safe cycling lessons and are in the process of creating a car pooling website forlocal adults.

Meanwhile, 10 volunteers from the Fermoy Special Needs Support Group were presented with an award for their efforts, especially providing the families of affected children with a break from looking after them.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Chief Supt Kieran McGann said such young people would play a critical role in shaping future communities.

“It’s important we highlight the great, selfless work many of them are doing,” he said.

Supt Tom Myers said Gardaí were delighted to honour the award winners, thanks to the generous support of sponsors Cavanagh’s Garage, Fermoy.