From left, Paul Kelly, deputy principal, Marist College, Garda Eugene Boland, JLO, Athlone Garda Station, Superintendent Shane Cummins, Athlone District, and Michael Dermody, principal, Marist College.

Interest in Garda Youth Awards grows as closing date nears

Brian O'Loughlin

Published: Thu 15 Nov 2018, 9:27 AM

With the closing date for the Westmeath Garda Youth Awards looming, interest from all corners of the county has peaked and nominations have already been received from those keen to ensure that those most deserving of recognition in their communities are considered for the awards.

Detective Inspector Dermot Drea, chairman of the organising committee, said: “That it was vital that schools, youth groups, sports clubs and diversion projects throughout the county would ensure that the brilliant young people that are helping to make their homes, the local communities and the lives of other people better in 2018 are nominated for these awards”.

The awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years who are resident in County Westmeath.

An Garda Síochána in Westmeath and Lidl recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Westmeath. Awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence make their communities a better place to live in.

Having already secured the assistance of former Westmeath Footballer and All Star recipient Dessie Dolan, who will sit on the awarding committee in 2018, the list of the great and the good who are keen to be involved with the awards continues to grow with Will Faulkner of Midlands 103 and presenter of the Midlands Today Show agreeing to be the MC for the Westmeath Youth Awards evening on February 7, 2019 in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

While the team in An Garda Síochána are busy getting application forms out to all schools, clubs, societies and youth project groups, the forms are also available from any Lidl store in the Westmeath Garda Division, and at Garda Stations throughout Westmeath.

Application forms will also be distributed by the Community Gardaí in each local Garda District.

Electronic versions of the nomination form are available on the Garda website in the news section.

Completed electronic forms and any other queries on the awards can be emailed to westmeathgardayouthawards@garda.ie.

All other applications forms can be returned to your local garda station or to Garda Jim Rock at Mullingar Garda Station or Garda Eugene Boland at Athlone Garda Station.

Nominations accepted until November 22.