Garda awards celebrate West Cork youth

Many teenagers look to older folk as mentors to guide and assist them in becoming mature adults. The winners of the West Cork Garda Youth Awards do things the other way around, advising, helping and inspiring people of all ages.

Among them is Jack O’Sullivan, a 19-year-old from Alihees on the Beara peninsula. He is part of a group that raises awareness of the importance of donating blood and also is involved in a campaign to promote positive mental health in the community.

In between such a busy schedule, Jack also helps to care for his two siblings with special needs. Little wonder, then, that he was among seven overall winners of the awards, which have been sponsored by SuperValu for the past 22 years.