'They really are heroes!' - Amazing young people honoured by Limerick gardai

A SIGNIFICANT milestone was marked on Wednesday night as eight young people and groups were honoured at the tenth annual Limerick Divisional Garda Youth Awards.

Mayor of Limerick John Moran was among those who attended the event which took place at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. 

Dozens of young people, from across the city and county, were nominated by organisations and individuals within their own local communities and the eight award recipients were selected by a panel of judges.

"I think sometimes, young kids tend to get a lot of stick from oldies but in reality, the more I do in this job the more I see they really are heroes - they do amazing work and mostly out of sight and it's great to finally shine a spotlight on some of them," said Mayor Moran.

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Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said it's important for An Síochana in Limerick and around the country to acknowledge the contribution that young people can make in their local communities.

"It's fantastic to see that these are young people within our communities - it isn't a competition they are in - it's actually an award being recognised by their peers in the community through all the support that they give to their families but also to the wider community and it is a great opportunity just to acknowledge them and to say thank you for all that they have done." 

Sponsored by the Garvey Group, which has stores in Corbally, Adare and Newcastle West, the awards aim to honour young people – aged between 13 and 21 - who have made a significant contribution to their local community.

Speaking at the event Jim Garvey, of the Garvey Group, paid tribute to each of the award recipients who come from a variety of communities across Limerick.

"Every year, you just look at the amazing young people around the room - the young people of today, the leaders of tomorrow and, I suppose it's nothing but inspirational," he said.

Picture: Cllr Adam Teskey, Jim Garvey of the Garvey group, MC Seamus Hennessey, Chief Superintendent Derek Smart and Helen Griffin of the Garvey group

Organised by the Garda Juvenile Liaison Office, Seamus Hennessy was the MC for the awards ceremony while there were musical performances from Sergeant Paul Bentley (piano) and Garda Leeann McCarthy (bagpipes).

Senior garda management from across the Limerick division attended the awards along with the award recipients and their families.

The 2024 recipients of Garda Youth Awards are:

Kate Minihan, Caherdavin
Kings Island Youth Diversion & Kings Island UBU Project
Cormac Downey, Shanagolden
Sarah Collins, Doon
Najam Umair, Abbeyfeale
Terry Casey, Southill
Sarah Phelan & Sarah Dillon (The Mighty 8), Pallasgreen
Cormac Maguire, Kilmallock
Amina Costello, Croom

See next week's Limerick Leader, broadsheet edition, for more photos and coverage from the awards ceremony

PICTURES: Brendan Gleeson