Nominations for Garda Youth Awards now underway
An Garda Siochana Westmeath are pleased to announce the launch of the National Garda Youth Awards 2021.
Sponsored by Lidl Ireland, the Garda Youth Awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years.
An Garda Síochána Westmeath and LIDL Ireland, recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Westmeath.
The 2020 recipient’s were David Hogg and Kevin Kennedy, two Mullingar teenagers with Down Syndrome, who through a combination of hard work and talent proudly represented Ireland in international swimming competitions.
This year, due to Covid 19, it won’t be possible to hold a presentation ceremony, but the process for nominations will remain the same, and Gardaí in Westmeath will be looking for nominations from schools, youth groups, individuals and voluntary organisations right across the county.
The Awards will be organised in adherence with all Government Covid-19 guidelines.
It’s also important to remember that due to Covid, there hasn’t been the same opportunity for young people to become involved with activities or projects compared to previous years.
However, An Garda Síochana Westmeath Division have also witnessed that many young people were active on the ground throughout the Covid 19 crisis, volunteering and becoming involved in a variety of projects that supported both the vulnerable in the community, and the frontline services.
The digital nomination forms will be available in the New Year for the Westmeath Garda Division, and we greatly appreciate the support from LIDL Ireland who are sponsoring the awards again in 2021.
Electronic versions of the nomination form will be available from athlone.community@garda.ie
The Award Categories are; Individual Award, Group Award, Community Safety Award and a Special Achievement Award.
The Individual Award is open to young people who have made a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
The Group Award category applies for groups of two or more young people whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities.
The Community Safety Award is for a young person, or group, who through a crime prevention or safety innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.
The Special Achievement category is open to any young person who has overcome difficult circumstances, or defied the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
The organising committee for the 2021 Westmeath Garda Youth Awards are:
Inspector Gary Loughrey, Mullingar Garda Station (Chair); Garda Eugene Boland, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Athlone Garda Station; Garda James Rock, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Mullingar Garda Station; Sergeant Damien Connaughton, Athlone Community Police; Sergeant Roger Nicholson, Mullingar Community Police; and Sergeant John McWalter, Crime Prevention Officer, Westmeath.