Garda Youth Achievement Awards to get national component

Plans are being put in place to hold a national Garda Youth Achievement Awards ceremony.

Photo credit: The West Cork Garda Youth Awards at the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, in association with SuperValu and media partner the Irish Examiner. Eoin Quinn, Skibbereen, one of the overall award winners, with Chief Supt Con Cadogan, West Cork and Kerry Divisions, and Gerry Devine, regional manager, SuperValu. Pictures: Denis Minihane

Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan revealed the plan as he presided over an awards night in West Cork honouring young people who have shown compassion, bravery, and community spirit.

Chief Supt Cadogan said the first garda awards ceremony of its type was launched in the West Cork Garda Division 22 years ago.

He said it had become such a success that it had since been rolled out to nearly every other garda division in the country.

The last garda division to take the awards programme onboard will be Galway and Chief Supt Cadogan said that plans were being considered to then hold a national ceremony at which they will pick the very best from all the divisions for special national recognition.

“The awards ceremony was started in West Cork by Juvenile Liaison Garda James O’Mahony. It has stood the test of time and been very successful,”said Chief Supt Cadogan.

He said that many former winners had since moved on to have very successful careers and pointed out to the current crop of winners that having such an accolade on their CVs would impress prospective employers.

“I know there have to be winners, but as far as I’m concerned everyone who was nominated is a winner and we can be very proud of them,” he said.

“It’s imperative that we recognise our youth and all the excellent work they do in their communities.”

This year, 128 young people were nominated for the West Cork Garda Youth Awards, held at the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen.

There were six overall award winners, three special achievement recipients, and two group awards for a total of 36 people.

In addition, local Garda District Awards were handed out to seven people.

The six overall winners were Amy Sexton, Jordan McCabe, and Timothy O’Driscoll from Bandon, Eoin Quinn (Skibbereen), Ellen O’Driscoll (Goleen), and Mair Kelly (Goleen).

Amy won for volunteering with Penny Dinners and a meals on wheels group.

Jordan was recognised for his fundraising and Eoin for his volunteerism.

Ellen was also honoured for her volunteerism, while Timothy got the award for helping children following the Nepalese earthquake.

Mair was part of a group recognised for Show Racism the Red Card.