PICTURES: Ireland's 'exceptional' young people recognized at National Garda Youth Awards

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An Garda Síochána held its annual National Garda Youth Awards this weekend, which recognise exceptional young people aged 13-21 who have positively contributed to their community.

This year’s event took place at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Saturday, Novemnber 16, and acknowledged the remarkable contributions made in a number of Garda Divisions which included Clare/Tipperary, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny/Carlow, Mayo/Roscommon/Longford, Laois/Offaly, Limerick, Westmeath and Wexford.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris presented each of the 24 awards.

Speaking at Saturday’s ceremony, Assistant Commissioner for Road Safety and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman said, "Our Garda National Youth Awards are about recognising the incredible work done by young people in communities all over Ireland for the sake of others.

"They often don’t get enough credit for the variety of challenges they face in today’s society and particularly for how they responded to the difficulties they encounter, but they support one another and help their communities with great enthusiasm.

"Each one of this year’s recipients demonstrate all that is wonderful about our young people, and as Gardaí we are so proud of their hard work.

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"We hope the Garda National Youth Awards are a fitting acknowledgement of the positive and meaningful contribution that these young people are making to society.”

This year’s recipients as selected by a national panel were:

Community Safety Award

• Orlaith Heaney – Hollymount, Co. Mayo
• St Leo’s College Young Social Innovators – Carlow
• Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg
• Aisha Alameen Betro – Balbriggan, Dublin
• Ciara and Saoirse Murphy – Tralee, Co. Kerry

Special Achievement Award

• Michael Dennedy – Laois Offaly
• Liam Costelloe – Limerick
• John Beary – Wexford
• Courtney Maughan – Dublin West
• Seán Óg Boland – Kildare

Group Award

• Enniscorthy Youthreach – Wexford
• Walk ‘Cause You Can – Cork West
• Raheny All Stars – Dublin North
• The Big Tree – Dublin West
• Go Yellow – Mayo / Roscommon / Longford

Individual Award

• Luke Graham – Dublin South Central
• James Casserly – Dublin West
• Aisling Sexton – Limerick
• Cara Darmody – Clare / Tipperary
• Daniel Spaight – Clare / Tipperary

Special Recognition Award

• Tyrone Donoghue – Westmeath
• Eimear O’Loughlin – Clare Tipperary
• Freya Maher – Laois Offaly
• Cormac Petrie – Mayo / Roscommon / Longford

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