Longford County Council hosted the fifth annual Roscommon Longford Garda Division Garda Youth Awards ceremony at Aras an Chontae with a large attendance by nominees including families, schools, and community groups from all over Longford and Roscommon. This year’s Roscommon Longford Division Garda Youth Awards saw four individuals and groups recognised in their respective categories along with two special recognition awards. The awards are supported by both Longford and Roscommon County Councils. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO The initiative, now in its fifth year, acknowledges outstanding acts of courage and selflessness by young people in their respective communities. Category winners include the Individual Award, the Special Achievement Award, the Group Award, and the Community Safety Award. The first of the night’s award recipients was the TY Students of Castlerea Community School for the Community Safety Category. Nominated by Susan Gaynor of Castlerea Town Team, these students impressed the judges after highlighting the serious issue of “spiking” among teenagers and their peer group while socialising, by producing a Tik Tok video that went viral. The second award, the Individual Category, went to Alana Coughlan. Alana was nominated by Garda Padraig Kelly for her tireless voluntary work in her community of Legan, Co Longford. Displaying a selflessness, and an awareness of the needs of others which impressed our judging panel, Alana dedicates her time between Community Games, the Bea Masterson Drama Group, Darkness into Light and more recently, promoting Youth Suicide Prevention. Alana has displayed maturity beyond her years in her activities and ensures that the voice of young people is heard through her participation in all her voluntary pursuits. The third category was awarded for Special Achievement, for someone who has overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition. It was presented to Latisha McCrudden, who was nominated by her mother Susan
PICTURES | Longford youngsters honoured at Garda Awards ceremony
Caption: Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr John Keogh addressing the audience Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: TY Students, Castlerea Community School receiving the Community Safety award for their TikTok video on drink spiking Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Latisha McCrudden won the Special Achievement category Picture: Shelley Corcoran
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Caption: Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg were also presented with a Special Recognition Award Picture: Shelley Corcoran
