Roscommon youngster one of winners of Garda Youth Awards

A Roscommon youngster was one of the winners at the recent Roscommon/Longford Garda Youth Awards

The awards, which took place in Aras an Chontae, Roscommon, are supported by both Roscommon and Longford County Councils. The initiative, now in its fourth year, acknowledge outstanding acts of courage and selflessness by young people in their respective communities.

Adam Reddington was the winner of the individual category. Nominated by Fuerty GAA club, he recently organised a fundraising run/walk in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland charities, helping the families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The walk and run caught the attention of the whole of the entire communities of Fuerty, Castlecoote and Athleague, giving people an opportunity to get out and meet up and go for a walk or run. It also allowed local children and their families to realise we are not all fortunate to live healthy lives and to be aware of illness in others.

Through his selfless efforts, Adam has highlighted the ability of young people to overcome their own obstacles and to contribute to the whole community. Adam kept the online page up to date showing hundreds of young people in the area that there is an inbuilt goodness among his peers. To date, Adam’s fundraiser has currently raised over €24,400 for the chosen causes.

Group award recipients Michael Gillooly and Ava Mulry were recognised for their efforts in May 2019 when the Roscommon Gaels All Stars team was launched in Roscommon Town. This was a summer camp for children with additional needs, aged 6 years and older to kick a ball, swing a hurl, play and to have fun.

Throughout 2021 Michael and Ava volunteered every week, never missing a single camp. They played with all the children, working hard to ensure the children attending had a positive, fun experience. Both Michael and Ava were nominated by Oliver Moran.

Ava and Michael ensure children with special needs are facilitated to participate in Gaelic Games in a positive, fun way. They have removed barriers to participation, ensuring all these children are included in ways that best suit their needs and ultimately helps them reach their full potential.

Nominated by Garda Linda O’Connell of Longford Garda Station, Callum Clarke from Tulsk saved his Grandad Sean from drowning. This followed an incident while both were out fishing after a gust of wind had turned a normal fishing trip into a rescue mission.

While out, Callum’s Grandad lost his balance in the small fishing boat, falling from the boat. This caused the boat to capsize and Callum to jump out as Sean’s life jacket did not inflate compounding his inability to swim.

Callum saw a piece of timber that had come away from the boat. He grabbed the timber and made his way to his grandfather, pulling him by the neck and getting a piece of timber under him, using it as a float to get Sean to safety. Sean had gone down twice and Callum knew he had to work fast. Undoubtedly his calm and fast thinking saved his grandfather from drowning. For his efforts, he received a glass trophy and a voucher for €125.

Special Achievement Award recipient Geraldine Maughan suffered horrific injuries and required hospitalisation which affected both her physical and mental health. As a result she required support from a number of agencies to help her regain her personal, physical and mental strength.

Nominated by Anne Kenny of Foroige’s ‘Big Brother, Big Sister’ programme in Granard, Geraldine recently completed the Darkness into Light and the Women's Mini Marathon. Currently she is training with the local Gaelic4Mothers&Others. She has also participated in the Gaisce President Awards which includes a community, physical and personal growth goals.

Geraldine has also engaged with Foroige's ‘Big Brother Big Sister programme’ and has helped out with her local tidy towns group, picking up litter or plant shrubs. This also helps her to start trusting people in her community and feel safe outdoors again.

Nominated by Joanna Casey in the community safety award category, members of the county’s Comhairle na nÓg participated in a pilot consultation with the members of Community Safety Initiative in Longford where were voiced their opinions on safety in County Longford.

The Community Safety Partnership is a new government initiative that brings different statutory services, voluntary and community sectors, local councillors, Gardaí and community members to work together and to tackle the safety issues affecting local communities.

Category winners each received a glass trophy, a winner’s certificate and a €200 ‘One for All’ gift voucher with the exception of any group recipient, who in such a case, received vouchers to the value of €400.

The Judging panel for this year ‘s awards included Sinead Hussey – RTE Midlands Correspondent; Turlough McGovern Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council; Cathal Cregg, Roscommon Senior Footballer; Fiona Ní Chuinn, Director of Services, Roscommon County Council and Inspector David Cryan of An Garda Síochána.

Master of Ceremonies at this year’s awards was Inspector David Cryan with Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon, Superintendent Fran Nicholson of Roscommon Garda Station and Superintendent Seamus Boyle of Longford Garda Station also in attendance.

Speaking at the awards, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Tom Crosby said the Garda Youth Awards honour outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years of age in the Roscommon Longford Garda Division.

Cllr. Crosby acknowledged this year as marking the centenary of An Garda Siochana. He acknowledged the force’s support of communities in Longford and Roscommon which was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I would like to warmly congratulate all tonight’s award recipients. Your courage, dedication and selflessness is something to be greatly admired and valued. You have also enhanced the lives of your families and friends in a way that you can scarcely appreciate.

“Members of An Garda Siochana show tremendous leadership and discretion in the execution of their roles. Many children and young adults, often affected by addiction or from dysfunctional backgrounds, have been supported by Gardaí in a proactive, rather than reactive way, often helping to turn around the life of a troubled teenager.