Nominations open for Garda Youth Awards

THE 24th annual West Cork Garda Youth Awards have been launched and nominations are now being taken to celebrate the area’s outstanding youngsters.

Held in association with SuperValu, the awards were initiated in 1995 by Garda James O’Mahony, juvenile liaison officer, Bandon. An Garda Siochana have now established similar Garda Youth Awards in all divisions countrywide.

Awards will be considered for nominated young people, aged between 13 and 21 who make their communities a better place to live in.

Garda Damian White, community garda in Bandon, who is spokemsan for the initiative urged people to get nominating. Inspector Brian Murphy, Bandon Garda Station, chairman of the organising committee added: ‘We wish to recognise the sacrifices made by these young people, as they contribute to their community, both at a local level, and also in wider areas. An Garda Síochána would like to pay tribute to SuperValu for their continued sponsorship of the Youth Awards.’

Since their inception in 1996, approximately 2,850 nominations have been received over the 23-year history of the event. An average of 15 awards have been presented each year.

This year the event will take place on Friday 8th November in the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery. The categories 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 nomination forms are now available from any SuperValu store in the West Cork Garda Division, and also at garda stations throughout West Cork.

Electronic versions of the nomination form are available from [email protected]

The closing date for the applications is Friday 18th October.

Application forms are to be submitted to Garda James O’Mahony, juvenile liaison officer, Bandon Garda Station, or Garda Don Davis, juvenile liaison officer, Bantry Garda Station.

Forms can also be emailed to: [email protected]