Gardai recognise young people at national awards
By Mary Dennehy
YOUNG people linked in with three South Dublin County projects were recognised at the Garda National Youth Awards recently.
More than 180 young people who represented their local divisional areas at a national level were acknowledged for making their communities a better place to live in 2020.
Holly O’Reilly
The awards ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19, with small, local awards presentations taking place and an online ceremony with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Acting deputy Commissioner Anne Marie MxcMahon, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and football legend, Bernard Brogan.
Holly O’Reilly was among seven individual award winners for her volunteer work in the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project in Tallaght.
Volunteering at the centre since she was 13, Holly, who is currently in her Leaving Cerificate year in St Louis Rathmines, gives up large parts of her weekend to help provide a positive experience for children in the community.
Volunteering around 400 hours annually, Holly’s efforts are vital to the project and all who attend.
Holly was put forward for the national award after being one of a number of young people celebrated in the regional DMR South division awards, which includes Tallaght, Crumlin and Terenure and their respective sub-districts of Rathfarnham, Sundrive Road and Rathmines.
Across in the DMR West area, which covers Clondalkin, Lucan and Blanchardstown, the Bawnogue Youth & Wellbeing Group won a national group award.
Teenagers Chloe Brennan, Cian O’Reilly, Caoimhe Sidebottom, David Taite, Naoishe Keane and Rebecca Russell, created a peer-led programme on alcohol awareness, which included posters and a short animation video.
The programme which was directed at their own age group also focused on social media, health and well-being.
According to An Garda Siochana, the teenagers have been heavily involved in mentoring within their schools in Moyle Park and Deansrath Community College and are “leaders and excellent role models for their peers”.
A young man named Liam Martin, who has cerebral palsy, was also presented with a Special Achievement Award.
Liam, who uses a wheelchair and undergoes dialysis twice a week, is a volunteer at the Irish Wheelchair Association premises in Lucan.
It was mentioned through the awards programme that Liam is extremely popular at the centre where he works at reception, with his jovial nature bringing a smile to staff and the 118 people who utilise the service.
Speaking during the online ceremony, Commissioner Harris said: “I hope that you are proud of your achievements.
“The work you are all doing in your local communities is fantastic and we in An Garda Síochána wanted to let you all know that you have our gratitude.”
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