Rugby legend hails Kilkenny’s ‘outstanding’ young people at awards launch

The search is on to find the young people in Kilkenny who have made their communities better places to live in through their actions.

An Garda Síochána in Kilkenny/Carlow have launched their annual Divisional Garda Youth Awards in association with Netwatch, Kilkenny County Council and Carlow County Council.

The awards recognise either a young person or group of young people between the ages of 13 and 21, who have demonstrated their willingness to work in their community, or have led by example to benefit the lives of others.

There are four award categories:

• Individual Award – Any young person who has made a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
• Group Award – Any group of two or more young people who have contributed positively to their community.
• Special Achievement Award – Any young person who has defied the odds or overcome difficult circumstances.
• Community Safety Award – any young person or group who have made their community a safer place to live through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation.

Launching this year’s awards, Inspector Claire Kenealy of Thomastown Garda Station and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, said: “The past year has presented unprecedented challenges for all of us.

“We acknowledge the sacrifices made by young people, and their contributions to the community, both at a local level, and also in the wider community,” she added.

The former Munster and Ireland rugby legend, Mick Galway, the Netwatch Brand Ambassador who has made his home in Kilkenny said: “We have outstanding young people in our counties, all doing their communities proud.

“Throughout this pandemic we are hearing great stories of how these young people are contributing to their localities in such a positive way. It is so important to provide the opportunity to highlight some of these stories through these awards,” he added.

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the public. Relatives and family members are also free to submit a nomination and can be done by contacting Kilkenny Gardai, or online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Garda-Youth-Awards-2021.

The deadline for nominations is March 12.