One week left for nominations for Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards
One week left for nominations for Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards
Applications must be received by Monday 19 June 2023
Press Release
12 June 2023
There is just one week left for groups, communities, or local organisations to nominate a young person for the Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards. The awards, which celebrate outstanding young people who have contributed to their local communities, close for entries on Monday, 19 June 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 for this year, 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.”
Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Shane Tiernan also welcomed the awards. “While it recognises the achievements and contribution of younger people in our region, it also has a greater positive of building a bond between An Garda Síochána and society in general.”
Nomination forms may be downloaded from Garda.ie, Longfordcoco.ie or Roscommoncoco.ie or requested from Roscommon.GardaYouthAwards@garda.ie.
In order to qualify, completed nomination typed forms and media consent forms should be emailed to Roscommon.GardaYouthAwards@Garda.ie, or posted or delivered to the Community Policing Unit at Boyle, Granard, Longford or Roscommon Garda stations before 5pm on Monday, 19 June 2023.
