In pictures: An Garda Síochána reward heroes at Youth Awards night

The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town, was filled with pride and celebration as the Donegal Garda Youth Awards 2026 recognised some of the county’s most outstanding young people.

The annual awards, organised by An Garda Síochána in Donegal and proudly sponsored by Supermac's Ireland and supported by The Abbey Hotel, highlighted the generosity, resilience, and determination of young people who go above and beyond to make their communities stronger.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan. Greg Hughes of Highland Radio served as Master of Ceremonies, entertaining the audience with his trademark humour and enthusiasm while Kevin Furey provided the wonderful music and technical support.

Students and staff from the Finn Valley College in Stranorlar who were nominated for an award in respect of their 'Our Donegal' album in aid of the Donegal Hospice entertained everyone with some fantastic pieces from their album and they were described as “outstanding.”

Students sacrificed a lot of their own time during lunch breaks, after school and at home in order to complete the project. They worked tirelessly alongside staff from the school to preserve and to enhance the musical and written heritage of Donegal for future generations to enjoy while also raising vital funds for the Hospice. The students appeared on Highland Radio and they received massive support on social media. The outpouring of support for this project from the local community and from Donegal people who now live abroad was phenomenal.

Among the distinguished guests were Judge Emile Daly, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, Marc Brown (Supermac's), Superintendent Siobhan Mollahan and Superintendent Karen Duffy.

Representatives from Foróige, community Gardaí from across the county, nominators, teachers, youth workers, families, and friends of the nominees also joined to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Donegal’s youth.

Following a delicious meal, the spotlight turned to the awards ceremony. Each nominee was honoured with a certificate before the six overall award winners were congratulated by Judge Emile Daly.

Individual Award – Caitlin Mc Fadden, for her outstanding commitment and impact on her local community

Caitlin McFadden prevented a drowning at Lough Na Tooey lake, Creeslough in September 2025. A teenager and a man had fallen into the lake from a rowing boat and they had been struggling to keep afloat. Caitlin jumped into the lake and swam to rescue them. She was assisted by two other men. The rescued men were brought to hospital following the incident.

Thanks to Caitlin, a double tragedy was prevented. She is to be applauded for her incredible sense of bravery and for risking her life for the good of others.

Special Achievement Award – Adam Doherty, recognised for overcoming personal challenges to make a differenceAdam Doherty, who has autism, learned how to bake during the covid lockdown. In 2021, Adam, with the support of his family, took part in a ‘Bake Off’ in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin & Temple Street, raising €1,574.

Raising funds for these hospitals was a mission that was very close to Adam’s heart, as they had kept his brother Matthew alive long enough to benefit from a kidney transplant and only for their care and attention, he may not have survived. This fundraising initiative then became an annual fundraising event for local charities known as ‘Adam’s Bake Sale’. Adam added a raffle to his fundraising efforts in 2026 to raise funds for the local National School, St Mary’s, who had qualified for the World Robotics Championships. To date, Adam has raised thousands of Euros for local charities through his fundraising efforts. He purchases all of the ingredients himself each year for his bake sale and he does the majority of the organising and work with a little support from others. He continues to bring his community together for a chat over a cuppa and some delicious baked goods each year and in doing so he raises much-needed funds for charities.

Community Safety Award – The Project-Raphoe, commended for their initiative in promoting safety and wellbeing among peersThe ‘Fun Gang’ is a neurodiverse youth group in Raphoe for people aged 13 and upwards with autism and/or learning disabilities. The young people in this group completed work placements within Raphoe Family Resource Centre and in local businesses and schools and as part of this, they were assigned various types of tasks which they all took on with a sense of determination. They all excelled in their placements. The Fun Gang are visible and highly valued members of their local community. Their regular positive interactions within their community have helped challenge stereotyping within the community. They have demonstrated a great willingness to contribute and more than enough ability to do so by helping out with events at Raphoe Family Resource Centre when needed. Each member of this group consistently pushes themselves beyond their comfort zone. By being part of the group, they have improved their social skills, built confidence and developed a sense of independence. Their willingness to regularly take on new responsibilities and to be active members of their community is to be admired - did we mention that they are also great fun? They certainly are! We applaud them all!

Group Award – Christopher Monaghan and Friends Bed Push, honoured for their collaborative efforts in community serviceChristopher Monaghan and Friends Bed Push raised a massive €19,000 for the Little Blue Heroes Charity in 2025. In August 2025, Christopher and 10 of his friends pushed a bed over a 40KM distance to raise awareness of the charity and also to raise vital funds for them.

Aisling Monaghan, Christopher's sister, is a Little Blue Hero and so this is a charity that is very close to his heart, as he has witnessed first-hand the amazing work that they do.

Christopher enlisted the help of his friends, who agreed without hesitation and between them they undertook this massive task, which required significant planning, teamwork and physical effort. The funds raised will certainly have made a difference to the lives of many other families and the group is to be applauded for their determination & kindness.

Special Recognition Award – Dualta Bracken, Maitiu Clerkin and Turlagh Mc Daid, acknowledged for exceptional contribution, a category reserved for extraordinary efforts such as acts of bravery and lifesavingDualta Bracken, Maitiu Clerkin and Turlagh Mc Daid sprang to the rescue in August 2025 at Tramore Beach in Rosbeg when they realised that a number of people were in trouble in the water. They worked together using their surfboards to assist a man and two children who had been caught up in a rip current. Because of their swift actions and bravery, all three people were rescued and the once life-threatening situation had a happy ending. They did not seek praise following the event and remained humble about their life-saving actions that day but their families and the local community will always be proud of them. They should be very proud of themselves and their heroic actions that day.

Special Recognition Award – Aspire Inishowen - Carndonagh

Aspire Inishowen Carndonagh comprises of a group of young people from the Ukrainian community. They have actively embraced their new community of Carndonagh and the wider area of Inishowen by getting involved in local events such as litter pick-ups, filmmaking about a local cause and they are currently working on a project which will enhance Carndonagh Park for the whole community. The group completed a mural in Carndonagh, which is a celebration of Irish and Ukrainian culture and friendship. They have embraced Irish culture and they have highlighted issues that young people feel strongly about on social media. They are always willing to help and enhance their local community in any way they can. By their presence, they have made their town a better place.

Special mention was also passed on to others.

Buncrana’s Children’s Charity assists local children and families in Inishowen who face serious illnesses, injury or hard times.

The young people within Buncrana’s Children’s Charity Youth Committee regularly give up their spare time to volunteer for the benefit of others without expecting anything in return. They give up much of their free time to fundraise, to volunteer at community events, to prepare hospital and smile bags for kids and to contribute towards the planning and delivery of fundraising initiatives eg. bake sales. Their compassion, kindness and generosity of spirit have enabled the charity to continue to make a positive difference to the lives of families throughout their community. These young people are a perfect example of the positive difference that young people can make in their communities.

The Ballyshannon Foróige Group recently held bucket collections across Ballyshannon for SHOUT (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust) & Cancer Care West as part of a ‘Respectful Relations’ project. They raised funds to the amount of €2,700 and also raised awareness for these charities.

This group regularly demonstrate the spirit of volunteerism and selflessness in giving up their own time for local causes such as taking part in local clean up operations, fundraising for local causes and raising awareness for causes within their community. These young people are driven by a desire to improve their community and to support those in need without expecting praise or recognition.

Cian Shovlin, Thomas Brennan, Ruby Brennan and Aoibheann Mullin are multidisciplinary students from St. Columba’s Comprehensive in Glenties.

These four students regularly make a positive impact within their school and also within their local community. They pay regular visits to the elderly within their community at the local care of the aged centre/old folk’s home. These visits encourage social interaction and communication skills and the elderly residents look forward to seeing the students immensely.

They established a recycling scheme within their school and they encourage the other students to participate. This scheme raises valuable funds for their Multidisciplinary room and the school’s two neighbouring autism units.

They hold fundraisers for a local dyslexia group and Down Syndrome Ireland. They organise Community Coffee Mornings whereby they invite the community to their unit to experience the fantastic work that they do. Cian, Thomas, Ruby and Aoibheann are exceptional role models for their fellow students and for us all!

Katy Jervis completed a project as part of the ‘Leadership For Life’ Programme with Foróige in relation to Mental Health and Young People.

Katy created and distributed a survey to learn more about the experiences of young people regarding their own mental Health and also to find out how much awareness existed among them in relation to mental health issues in general.

Katy created infographics and posters and a slide show detailing the results of her survey. She reached out to support groups, radio stations and Politicians in her attempts to promote positive mental health among the young and she gave talks to students and interviews on the radio. Katy displayed empathy and provided support for those who suffer from mental health issues and she is a fantastic role model for others. She has raised great awareness among her peers and her wider community in relation to support services that are available and also in relation to the importance of minding your mental health!

Amy Boal came up with an idea to design and install a ‘Little Library’ in her local community in a bid to encourage others to spend less time looking at screens and to read more. She conducted research into the idea and she liaised with Donegal County Council in relation to the permission that would need to be sought.

She volunteered in her local library as part of her research and then enlisted the help of the local ‘Men’s Shed’ to help build the library. ‘Amy’s Little Library’ is no longer an idea but a reality and it is being enjoyed by the local community in Donegal Town. The library provides people with the opportunity to borrow or share books for free. If you borrow a book you leave another in its place.

Amy will continue to manage the project going forward and will ensure that the library is kept stocked up. This fantastic initiative will encourage kindness, sharing and the concept of repurposing within the community and through it people will hopefully also rediscover the joy of sitting down to read a good book. Amy is to be applauded for her sharing her passion of reading with others and for her community spirit.

Chloe Shields saw a man in distress in the water near Rathmullan Pier. He was struggling against the currents and appeared unable to swim back to the pier. Chloe acted quickly and threw a life ring out into the water. She then pulled the rope attached to the ring and the man back towards the Pier to safety.

As a result of her quick thinking and actions, the man was safe and well following the frightening event. Chloe’s actions that day remind us all of the importance of being vigilant where water safety is concerned and also of the importance of remaining calm in an emergency situation. Chloe is to be admired for her actions that day but also for her spirit of volunteerism as she is heavily involved with her local Tidy Towns group in Rathmullan and the Clean Coast Group. She is community-minded and a very responsible and selfless young woman

Conall Dempsey volunteers with the Donegal Youth Service. He balances his college work with his volunteering and is involved with multiple projects within DYS, such as taking photographs for social media content and engaging with the various youth groups. Conall has autism and he is passionate about inclusivity. He is always the first to welcome a new person into the group and he strives to make them feel wanted and accepted.

He helps all of the young people who attend the service but in particular those who have additional needs. He often makes personal sacrifices in order to ensure that the needs of others are being met. Conall is a regular attendee at the study group within DYS and while there he studies hard which sets a fantastic example for the others.

Conall gets involved with many aspects of the club and he always gets stuck in to organising community events and promoting the protection of the environment. Conall does not let his autism define him but instead he uses it as a strength. It helps him to relate to others who are neurodivergent who may otherwise feel apprehensive about joining a youth group. He is friendly, kind and a massive asset to DYS!

Youth Participation Group – Killybegs South Donegal (CFSN Project) This group identified a need for accessible self-care resources within the community and so they came up with the idea of creating ‘Calming Kits’ for neurodiverse people and those who have mental health issues.

These kits were designed to support emotional wellbeing and to reduce stress and anxiety. They conducted research and they compiled and distributed these kits to areas that they felt might prove challenging for some people such as waiting room areas and schools.

This project encouraged community connection and it promoted kindness and inclusivity. Their project has promoted conversations about wellbeing and self-care. These young people have promoted a positive image of young people by demonstrating leadership skills, compassion and a strong commitment to supporting the wellbeing of others. They are excellent role models for others.

John James Warren has a great love for animals and he champions animal welfare and environmental responsibility. By using his school’s intercom system, he educated his peers in relation to animal abuse and he raised awareness of a local Animals in Need charity.

He organised a school initiative whereby they collected recyclables to raise funds for that very cause. Beyond the walls of the school, he volunteers in the animals in need charity and he stood in his town centre with animal welfare information boards in order to spread awareness among the community. John James has given his time to volunteer at the local charity shop and he has spearheaded school donation drives. He regularly steps out of his comfort zone to stand up for causes that he believes in. He is self-driven and he has successfully cultivated a culture of empathy, active citizenship and environmental responsibility locally. John James embodies a quiet spirit of volunteerism and he acts without expecting anything in return.

Olivia Ní Churrain is a leader within Creeslough Youth Club. She attends the club every Wednesday evening with enthusiasm and dedication. She plays an active role in organizing games and activities, she assists the other youth leaders when needed and she helps to create a welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable environment for all participants. Olivia demonstrates a desire to care for those around her.

She is particularly kind and patient towards members of the club who have various types of additional needs and she is passionate about making everyone feel included. Nothing is too much trouble for her and she gives up her time willingly and cheerfully for the good of others. She actively promotes the ethos of the Youth Club in ensuring that every young person who comes through the door feels valued, respected and included. She is highly respected by the young people within the club and by her fellow leaders. Olivia is a great role model for others and she leads by example.

Katelyn Warren is a member of Foróige, Donegal Town and also of the Donegal Youth Council. She recently completed a ‘Leadership For Life’ programme with Maynooth University. Katelyn is committed to the promotion of inclusion and she has delivered presentations to frontline workers such as Gardaí, paramedics and youth workers in relation to neurodiversity awareness.

She represented Foróige Connect Safely at the Oireachtas where she helped to integrate autism advocacy into national policy conversations. She also developed a podcast to raise awareness in relation to autism/neurodiversity. Katelyn is respected and driven and she gives of her time selflessly to help others. She challenges negative stereotypes and she works hard to ensure that the community she lives in is a safe and accessible environment for everyone and one where neurodivergent voices are heard. Katelyn does not wait for opportunities; she creates them and she inspires her peers through her actions.

Aaron Coughlin’s brother and family have benefitted greatly from the services and care provided by the ‘Bluestack Special Needs Foundation’. Aaron wished to spread awareness within his community in relation to people with additional needs while at the same time promoting the fantastic work that is being done by the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation and so he researched and created an insightful PowerPoint presentation which he then presented to volunteers and his peers at Foróige in Donegal Town.

As part of his research, he interviewed the managers of the Bluestack Centre who were delighted to hear that they had made such a positive impact on Aaron and his brother’s lives. Aaron has spread awareness among his community about the challenges faced by people with additional needs but also about the many strengths possessed by them. This was a very worthwhile project that was undertaken because of brotherly love, a desire for inclusivity for all and a desire to spread awareness about a charity which is a lifeline for so many families.

Shauna McFadden has been a volunteer with Creeslough Youth Club for the past four years. She somehow manages to balance her studies at the National Learning Network with her volunteer work and she dedicates her Wednesday evening each week to supporting the young people in her area.

Shauna lives with a disability and she understands better than most the need for inclusivity. She helps to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment at the Youth Club where young people feel supported and encouraged to participate. Shauna is dependable and kind and she consistently gives her time generously for the good of others. She is a fantastic role model for her peers and she leads by example. Her actions show that barriers can be overcome through dedication, selflessness and a remarkable sense of community spirit.

Courtney Mc Grory completed a project as part of the ‘Leadership For Life’ Programme with Foróige. The aim of her project was to raise awareness of and to address any bias towards the LGBTQIA+ community in Donegal Town. As part of her project, Courtney created and distributed a detailed survey within her school, the local community and within the Foróige network. She also presented a workshop for her peers within Foróige. Courtney was fully invested in this project as she felt that this is a marginalised group who are sometimes open to misconceptions and who often have negative experiences in society as a result. Courtney’s project helped to create a greater awareness and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community within her local area and that is exactly what she had set out to achieve.

A key factor in the continued success of the awards is the work of the Donegal Garda Youth Awards Committee. The committee is supported by Garda Gráinne Doherty of the Community Policing Unit in Letterkenny and the county’s three Juvenile Liaison Officers – Garda Brendan Roache, Garda Patrick McGlynn and Garda Yvonne Carolan.

The committee is chaired by Inspector Freda McCague. This dedicated team ensures the smooth running of the awards each year, from coordinating nominations to delivering an event that showcases the very best of Donegal’s young people. Their tireless commitment has allowed the awards to grow year on year, cementing it as one of the county’s most uplifting annual celebrations.

The event also shone a light on the role of Community Gardaí who were present on the night, including Garda Catherine Callaghan and Sergeant Charlene Anderson, whose daily engagement with local communities is a cornerstone of modern policing.

The Donegal Garda Youth Awards 2026 stood out as a powerful reminder of the difference that young people make in society every day.