Launch of Roscommon/Longford Division Eighth Annual Garda Youth Awards 2026
Nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday, 19 June 2026
An Garda Síochána, Roscommon/Longford Division is delighted to announce the launch of the Eighth Annual Roscommon/Longford Garda Youth Awards, in association with Longford and Roscommon County Councils who are sponsoring the initiative again this year.
The Roscommon/Longford Garda Youth Awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years. An Garda Síochána, Roscommon/Longford, in conjunction with Longford and Roscommon County Councils recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in these two Counties.
The nomination process is now open and An Garda Síochána in Roscommon and Longford are inviting the public to nominate a young person or group of young people they know, who were committed to making a difference to their Community during the last year.
Chairperson of the Roscommon/Longford Youth Awards Inspector David Cryan commented that the Garda Youth Awards celebrates outstanding young people and recognises the good work being done by these individuals,
“Each year, I have the distinct honour of serving as Chairperson of the Roscommon/Longford Garda Youth Awards—an occasion that continues to inspire, uplift, and remind us all of the extraordinary young people within our communities.
What stands out most, year after year, is the sheer volume and quality of nominations we receive. These are not just names on paper; they are powerful stories of resilience, kindness, leadership, and quiet determination. From young people overcoming personal adversity to those giving selflessly to others, the range of achievements is both humbling and deeply encouraging.
As Chairperson, I have the privilege of reading through these nominations and witnessing firsthand the positive impact our youth are making across Roscommon and Longford. The importance of the Garda Youth Awards cannot be overstated. They provide a platform to recognise and celebrate young individuals who might otherwise go unnoticed. Not every act of goodness makes headlines, but these awards ensure that such efforts are acknowledged, valued, and shared with the wider community.
Moreover, the awards serve as a powerful message to all young people—that their actions matter, that positive choices are seen, and that their contributions are appreciated. The continued growth in nominations each year is a testament to the strength of our communities, the dedication of families, schools, youth organisations, and indeed An Garda Síochána, all working together to support and guide our young people.
I would encourage anyone who knows a young person making a difference—no matter how big or small—to take the time to nominate them.”
Nominations can be made under any of the 4 categories:
Individual Award – Making a positive contribution to their Community, making it a better place to live in.
Group Award – Two or more young people making a positive contribution to their Community, making it a better place to live.
Special Achievement Award – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
Community Safety Award – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their Community a safer place to live in.
Last year Mario Pompa from Longford Town, received the Special Achievement Award for his inspiring recovery and community contribution following life-changing injuries sustained in a 2021 car accident. Prior to the accident, Mario was a gifted footballer and musician. The accident had a major impact on his physical and emotional well-being; yet he faced the long road to recovery with courage and determination, refusing to let his circumstances define his future. After spending a year in the National Rehabilitation Hospital relearning basic skills. Mario has pursued education through Maynooth University's College Connect programme and QQI Level 4 studies. He now volunteers with Longford Volunteer Centre, Longford Tidy Towns, and provides translation support for the Roma and New Communities Community Development Project.
The Community Safety Award was presented to Lus na Gréine Foróige Club from Granard for their initiative addressing children's mental health funding gaps. Understanding the €24,000 annual shortfall in counselling funds, the group organised a 5K forest walk, securing business sponsorship and donations. Their efforts focused not on monetary success but on funding art therapy sessions for children, demonstrating mature understanding of community needs.
The Special Recognition Award was presented to John Nevin from Farnagh, Longford, for his unwavering commitment to supporting young people in the community. John is a proud representative of the Irish Traveller Community. He has volunteered at the Longford Community Safety Partnership intro to boxing courses as a coach, National Play Day, and soccer programmes. He encourages young people to take up sport as a positive outlet and supports them in taking part in events and activities, never seeking praise or reward. His selflessness, reliability, and positive energy inspire those around him. John does all this while firmly staying committed to his own training with Olympic Boxing Club, Galway. John has won three consecutive All Ireland titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025, also becoming the 2024 U17 Denmark Box Cup Champion.
Gardaí will be distributing nomination forms to schools, youth groups and voluntary organisations right across the counties of Roscommon and Longford via email in the coming weeks. These forms may also be requested from Roscommon.GardaYouthAwards@garda.ie or downloaded here
can be emailed to Roscommon.GardaYouthAwards@garda.ie or can be posted to The Community Policing Unit, Longford Garda Station, County Longford.
All nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday, 19th June 2026.
