West Cork gardaí seek nominations to recognise inspirational young people

Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of young people between the ages of 13 and 21

John O’Mahony, group editor, Irish Examiner and Echo; Sandra Carey, marketing executive, Irish Examiner; Inspector Ian O’Callaghan; James O’Mahony, retired Garda and founder of the awards; Chief Superintendent Vincent O’Sullivan; Garda Damian White, Juvenile liaison officer; Garda Don Davis, Juvenile liaison officer; and Kevin O’Shea, SuperValu regional manager, at the launch of the West Cork Garda Youth Awards, in association with SuperValu and media sponsor the Irish Examiner, at the Kinsale Hotel, where the awards ceremony will be held later this year. Picture: Chani Anderson

Gardaí in West Cork are seeking nominations for inspirational young people to be honoured at a special awards ceremony taking place in April.

March 20 is the deadline for nominations for the 30th West Cork Garda Youth Awards, which celebrates the outstanding contributions of young people between the ages of 13 and 21.

The organising committee say awards will be considered for nominated young people "who by their presence make their communities a better place to live in".

Judging will take place in mid-April, with the presentation ceremony taking place on April 17 in the Kinsale Hotel and Spa.

Launching this year’s awards, chief superintendent Vincent O’ Sullivan from Bandon Garda Station said: “The nomination process is open to everyone, so if you know of a young person who is committed to making a difference to their community, please put them forward.

“We wish to promote and honour the positive contribution of the youth of today, who are the leaders of tomorrow."

Award categories

The award categories for the event are individual award, group award, community safety award and a special achievement award.

The individual award is open to young people who have made a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.

The group award category applies for groups of two or more young people, whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities.

The community safety award is for a young person or group, who through a crime prevention or safety innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.

The special achievement category is open to any young person who has overcome difficult circumstances or defied the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.

The awards are held in association with SuperValu, with the Irish Examiner as media partners.

The nomination forms are now available from any SuperValu store in the West Cork garda division and also at garda stations throughout West Cork.

Application forms will also be distributed by the community gardaí in each local garda district.

Electronic versions of the nomination form are available here.