Do you know an outstanding young person in Donegal who deserves recognition?

Gardaí in Donegal are inviting nominations for the 2023 Donegal Garda Youth Awards.

An Garda Síochana Donegal have launched the 2023 awards in association with Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee.

The annual Donegal Garda Youth Awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years from throughout the county. Nominations opened on Tuesday, February 21, and they can be submitted until March 27.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána in Donegal and the Joint Policing Committee recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Donegal.  

“Awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence make their communities a better place to live in. 

“An Garda Síochána in Donegal are now inviting the public to nominate a young person/ group of young people they know who were committed to making a difference within their community during 2022. All nominees will receive recognition at an event to be held in the future.”

An awards event will take place later this year on a date to be decided. Winners and nominees will be notified of these details by the organising committee following the adjudication process. 

Adjudicator Inspector Paul Mc Gee said: “This is my first year associated with the awards and I am looking forward very much to seeing the high quality nominations that we have become accustomed to getting from the young people in Donegal – who have represented the County with distinction at National level over the last number of years. 

“I would urge people in positions of responsibility with young people to take this opportunity to nominate suitable youths, for consideration and recognition in their respective field.” Adjudicator Cllr Gerry McMonagle (SF), Chairperson, Donegal Joint Policing Committee said:  "Donegal Joint Policing Committee are delighted to support the Garda Youth Awards again in 2023. Our involvement in the awards commenced in 2019 and since then we have had the privilege to meet with and celebrate many outstanding young people from this county.   

“We have all witnessed at first hand in recent years the how our young people have stepped up and played active roles in their communities, firstly though Covid and our exit from living restrictions, welcoming displaced people affected by conflicts and, closer to home, addressing the impact that the rising cost of living has had on the most vulnerable in our communities. 

“I would urge everyone to take the opportunity to nominate a young person in their area for an award to acknowledge the acts of bravery, community work or volunteerism carried out by them in the past year.”

There are four separate awards categories for young people: 

 -Individual Award – Making a positive contribution to their Community, making it a better place to live.

 -Group Award – two or more young people making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.

 -Special Achievement Award – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds, and whose commitment deserves recognition.

 -Community Safety Award - Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their Community a safer place to live.

This year’s adjudicators are: Judge  Éiteáin Cunningham (Chair), Inspector Paul Mc Gee and Cllr Gerry McMonagle.

Completed nomination forms may be emailed to DonegalGardaYouthAwards@garda.ie or may be posted to Letterkenny Garda Station, Newline Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal, F92 PC03 and marked for the attention of Garda Gráinne Doherty.

The following forms are available by clicking here

‌Garda Youth Awards 2023 Nomination Form English

Garda Youth Awards 2023 Nomination Form Gaelige

Garda Youth Awards 2023 Media Consent Form English

‌Garda Youth Awards 2023 Media Consent Form Gaelige

Nomination forms can also be collected at Garda Stations in Letterkenny, Milford, Buncrana or Ballyshannon.

Nominations must be received by 12pm on Monday, March 27 to be considered.