Nominations now open for annual Laois/ Offaly Garda Youth Awards

An Garda Síochána from the Laois/Offaly Division in association with Supermac's and the Killeshin Hotel are pleased to introduce the Laois/Offaly Garda Youth Awards 2024.

These awards will celebrate outstanding young people in Laois/Offaly between 13 and 21 years of age, and will recognise the good work they are doing throughout their communities and acknowledge young people who have faced and overcome personal challenges in their lives.

The Garda Youth Awards celebrate the contributions of young people, both individually and as part of groups. The awards are presented in four categories.

Individual award: Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.

Group award: Groups of two or more, making a positive contribution to their community and making it a better place to live.

Special achievement award: Has overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds, and whose commitment deserves recognition.

Community safety award: Through a crime prevention or safety initiative or innovation, has made their community a safer place to live.

Nominations for deserving young people may be made by individuals, community and voluntary groups, schools, youth groups or other organisations. The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Thursday 29^th February 2024.

Nomination forms are available to download via the Laois/Offaly Garda Division Facebook page and at www.garda.ie.

Completed forms should be emailed to laoisoffalygardayouthawards@garda.ie or dropped to your local Community Policing Garda at Portlaoise, Tullamore or Birr Garda Stations.

Nominees will be submitted to a judging panel who select Divisional winners in each category. Award winners will be celebrated at a special event at on 21^st March 2024 in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Pictured above: Left to right Inspector Joe Culliton, Garda Jean Tierney, Garda Grace Heffernan, Philip Peake (Só Hotels), Ailis Malone (2023 award winner), Superintendent Eamon Curley, Pat McDonagh (Supermacs), Chief Superintendent Tony Lonergan, Shane Byrne Comeford (Supermacs), Inspector Jane Ryan, Garda Aran Grehan and Garda Ronan Maher.

Present at the launch in Portlaoise were Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan, Superintendent Eamon Curley, Inspector Joe Culliton, Inspector Jane Ryan, Garda Jean Tierney, Garda Grace Heffernan, Garda Aran Grehan and Garda Ronan Maher.

Supermac’s who continue to support the Laois/Offaly Garda Youth Awards since 2018 were represented by -

Mr Pat McDonagh, Managing Director of Supermac’s; Philip Peake, Só Hotels – also a member of the Youth Awards Judging Panel; Shane Byrne Comerford, Manager of Supermacs Portlaoise Plaza.

An Garda Síochána were pleased to have two previous Youth Award winners at the launch.

Ailis Malone from Banagher, won an individual award in 2023 and went on to represent Laois/Offaly Division at the National Garda Youth Awards in November. She was recognised for her positive contribution to her community and was honoured with a national award. Ailis is strong and passionate advocate for inclusion and disability. She is an inspiring young person demonstrating that it is possible to live a rich and full life with disability and beyond limitation.

Ian Flood, from Tullamore, was also awarded at both Divisional and National level in 2023 and won a Special Recognition Award for his actions in preventing a crash when his mother Julia experienced a cardiac arrest while driving Ian to school. A passing motorist stopped to assist him with CPR but sadly his mother passed away. Ian’s quick thinking and clarity of mind during this traumatic incident meant he brought the car under control and prevented a potentially serious road traffic collision.