Final call for Longford nominations for Garda Youth Awards

The awards, which celebrate outstanding young people who have contributed to their local communities, now close for entries on Monday, June 19, 2023.

The awards are in association with An Garda Síochána, Roscommon Longford Division and Longford and Roscommon County Councils.

Local organisations are urged to nominate young people who are deserving of the award. Nominees must be between the ages of 13 and 21 and can be nominated for one of four categories:

Individual – where a young person has made a positive contribution to their community making it a better place to live

Group – where two or more made a positive contribution to their community making it a better place to live

Special Achievement – where a young person has overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition

Community Safety – where a young person or persons, through a crime prevention or safety initiative or innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.

Last year, among the Longford nominees was Geraldine Maughan, who went on to win a Special Achievement Award at the National Garda Youth Awards 2022.

Geraldine suffered horrific injuries and required hospitalisation which affected both her physical and mental health. Following intensive rehabilitation, she regained the ability to walk again. Her determination to fully recover led her to complete the Women’s Mini Marathon and she is also back playing sport.

Speaking in advance of the deadline for award nominations, Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards Chairperson Inspector David Cryan said, “In this difficult, digital, pressurised world that we live in, this is a great opportunity to create some positivity in the lives of young people by acknowledging and rewarding the great work they do in our communities. I would encourage everyone to consider suitable nominees from their own areas.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon agreed. “Our communities have so many brilliant young people, I thank them for their wonderful contribution to their localities. It is great to see their efforts recognised publicly. They are a credit to their area and an inspiration to us all.”

Nomination forms may be downloaded from Garda.ie, Longfordcoco.ie or Roscommoncoco.ie or requested from Roscommon.GardaYouth [email protected].

In order to qualify, completed nomination typed forms and media consent forms should be emailed to Roscommon.GardaYouth [email protected], or posted or delivered to the Community Policing Unit at Boyle, Granard, Longford or Roscommon Garda stations before 5pm on Monday, June 19.