Issue Date: 27th September 2021
Galway Divisional Gardaí in association with Supervalu recently presented the third Galway Divisional Garda Youth Awards, to celebrate the outstanding contribution of young people in their communities.
The awards celebrate and acknowledge young people aged between 13 and 21 and recognise the very positive contribution that they are making in their communities in County Galway.
There are four award categories: A Group Award which recognises a group that is making a positive contribution to their community; A Community Safety Award which recognises an individual/group that is making their community a safer place to live; A Special Achievement Award in acknowledgement of commitment that deserves recognition; and an individual award for a person who is making a positive contribution to their community.
Galway Gardaí and Supervalu recognise that there are many young people in every community, throughout the whole Galway Garda Division, who are involved in many positive activities, and too often their contribution to society goes unrecognised.
To recognise this, each award winner was presented with their respective awards at venues in their own communities.
Despite restrictions due to the Covid pandemic, there was great interest in this year’s awards and a large number of entries were received.
The following are the award winners in each category, and presentation took place as follows:
Community Safety Award Winner – Presentation conducted at Kavanaghs Supervalu Clifden on Tuesday September 15, 2021
Cow Group Project - Community Safety Award Winner
An inspirational group of young people, came together to form a group called the COW, the name means "The Community of Wellness”. They involved a number of local groups in Connemara which assisted them with the success of their project. Large numbers of Fridge magnets were produced and distributed, while Zoom forums and other projects were enabled by the group to promote mental health in Connemara.
Photo Caption: L-R Seán Glynn Superintendent Performance Assurance North Western Regional Garda HQ, Ms. Marie Feeney, Coordinator Forum Adolescent Support Project Clifden, Cora Gibbons representing COW Group (Community Safety Award Winner) Ciara Moran, Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, Mr. Joe Lynch Store Manager, Kavanaghs Supervalu, Clifden.
Individual Award Winner- Presentation at North Western Garda Regional Garda Headquarters Galway on Wednesday September 16, 2021
Danny Keane Individual Award winner
During what has been a very difficult year, Danny was an inspiration in his community in providing entertainment and performing at many events in his community. His unselfish work and volunteering turned a negative atmosphere in his community into one of positivity.
Photo Caption Back L-R Ms. Martha Munoz Ballinfoyle Foróige Support Project, Ciara Moran Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, Nick Lennane Ballinfoyle Foróige Support Project. Front L-R Seán Glynn Superintendent Performance Assurance North Western Regional Garda HQ, Danny Keane Individual Award Winner, Mr. Brian Sexton, Regional Manager Supervalu, Damien Flanagan Superintendent Galway Community Engagement Area.
Group Award Winner- Presentation conducted at O’Tooles Supervalu Tuam Wednesday September 16, 2021.
What About Me Group - Group Award Winner
The "What About Me" group produced a booklet for siblings with special needs. The booklet received excellent recognition in the local community and beyond and the proceeds from the sale helped to provide assistance to a local primary school. The booklet has been a tremendous resource to families and groups who are engaged with persons with disability on a daily basis.
Photo Caption L-R Ms. Ann Ronan & Ms. Mary Lardner O'Toole’s Supervalu Tuam, Katie Heneghan, Molly Martin ("What about Me group” C/O Dunmore Community School), Ms. Mary Grehan Teacher, Mr. Declan Quinn Principal Dunmore Community School, Niamh Nestor, Dylan Coleman, Tomas Royane ("What About Me Group c/o Dunmore Community School”), Aidan Foley, Superintendent Tuam/Ballinasloe Community Engagement Area, Joanne Hennessy Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer.
Special Achievement Award Winner- Presentation conducted at McInerney’s Supervalu Loughrea Wednesday September 16, 2021
Shane Staunton Special Achievement Award Winner
Shane is a tremendous young man who has encountered many difficulties throughout his life due to medical conditions.
However, this has not prevented Shane from breaking down barriers and meeting his goals. Shane is a leaving certificate student in St. Raphael’s College Loughrea and continually volunteers in his school. His actions have had a positive impact on staff and students alike, which radiates throughout the whole school.
Photo Caption: L-R Karen Maloney Superintendent Loughrea Community Engagement Area, Shane Staunton Special Achievement Award Winner, Mr. John Hardiman, Principal St. Raphael’s College Loughrea, Martina McGrath Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, Mr. Clement Connolly McInerney’s Supervalu Loughrea,
