Fifth Roscommon Longford Garda Youth Awards recognise dedication and resilience

Fifth Roscommon Longford Garda Youth Awards recognise dedication and resilience
Supported by Longford County Council and Roscommon County Council 

Press Release
25 September 2023

Longford County Council is delighted to have hosted the fifth annual Roscommon Longford Garda Division Garda Youth Awards ceremony.

The ceremony took place at Aras an Chontae on Thursday, 7 September 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.

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.

Even after reaching over 280,000 views online, the message continued to be shared, with the group also featuring on local radio stations and press. They also attended and highlighted their campaign at the ‘Speak Out’ forum in Griffith College which spread the word through the national network of organisations and support groups.

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 McCrudden. Latisha has been instrumental in promoting the rights of Travellers through her work with the Irish Traveller Movement national forum and has acted as a climate ambassador addressing the Dáil on this very important issue. Latisha is also an accomplished sports person in the field of martial arts, as well as becoming a mentor with the adolescent mental health organisation Jigsaw.

The fourth and final category, the Group Award, was presented to The Granard Youth Club, who are being acknowledged for their valuable contribution to raise funds to send to the Red Cross to help families fleeing the Ukrainian war.

The club, nominated by Ber Fagan of Lús na Gréine Resource Centre in Granard, organised a 5K walk in Derrycassin Woods, raising €3,551 within 10 days and demonstrating cohesive teamwork and the value of community throughout.

The judging panel for this year’s awards were incredibly impressed with all the nominees, and so much so, that they decided that they would also like to present two ‘Special Recognition Awards’.

The first Special Recognition Award recipient was for Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg. The members of this youth organisation, from all corners of County Roscommon, have displayed dedication and motivation in ensuring that young people have a voice. Their primary focus includes battling discrimination, promoting mental health awareness and healthy eating as well as highlighting the issue of drug misuse. The group also continues to work on the provision of youth facilities and amenities in County Roscommon.

The second Special Recognition Award was presented to Moyne Community School student, Oran Hourican.  Oran, who was born with cerebral palsy, has shown tremendous determination and tenacity in not letting his physical difficulty deter him from his zest for life. He is a shining light and a fine ambassador for his local community and his school, from his fundraising efforts, to helping others through his advocacy work which he carries out with his mother, working to secure medical treatments already available in the US, here in Ireland.

The four divisional winners’ applications have now been submitted to the National Judging Panel for assessment and the outcome of this final is currently awaited. Category winners each received a glass trophy, a winner’s certificate and a €200 One for All gift voucher except for any group recipient, who in such a case, received vouchers to the value of €400. Certificates of Nomination were also presented to all other nominees in each category, recognising their achievements in getting through to the awards stage.

The judging panel for this year’s awards included Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray, Roscommon County Council Director of Services Fiona Ní Chuinn, An Garda Síochána Inspector David Cryan, RTÉ Prime Time Presenter Fran McNulty and former Roscommon Senior Footballer Dr Cathal Cregg.

Master of Ceremonies at this year’s awards was Inspector David Cryan with Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon, Superintendent Seamus Boyle of Longford Community Engagement Functional Area, and Superintendent John Fitzgerald of Roscommon Garda Community Engagement Functional Area also in attendance.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray extended congratulation to all winners and paid tribute to all involved. “I wish to congratulate each and every award winner here at the Garda Youth Awards. They all show great courage, selflessness, care towards others and initiative in making their communities a better place. They are an example to us all.”

“I would also like to thank Roscommon County Council for their support to us as we host this year’s awards, as well as An Garda Síochána for their continued hard work and dedication to their communities in Longford, Roscommon, and all across the country.

“It is an honour to represent Longford County Council here, supporting such a fantastic event celebrating our young people and how they continue to improve our communities.”

Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr John Keogh added, “I would also like to warmly congratulate all this year’s award recipients. Your courage, dedication and selflessness are qualities to be greatly admired and valued.”

“Members of An Garda Síochána show tremendous leadership and discretion in the execution of their roles. Many children and young adults, often affected by addiction or from dysfunctional backgrounds, have been supported by Gardaí in a proactive, rather than reactive way, often helping to turn around the life of a troubled teenager. And I trust these award winners will further inspire their peers to do good and reach out beyond themselves in support of others.”

Chair of Roscommon Longford Divisional Garda Youth Awards Inspector David Cryan of An Garda Síochána concluded saying, “I thank all the young people involved, for their continued good work in their communities. We at An Garda Síochána hope that these awards will give these young people the added impetus to stay involved with their local community initiatives, and that they may guide and inspire others to do the same. Our future is in safe hands.”

See photo gallery from the Roscommon Longford Garda Division Garda Youth Awards 2023. Photography by Shelley Corcoran.