OUTSTANDING young people are to be honoured by gardai in this year’s Donegal Garda Youth Awards.
The annual celebration of those aged 13 to 21 from across the county is organised by An Garda Síochána in Donegal in conjunction with Supermac’s and the Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town.
This is the seventh year of the hugely successful awards.
A Garda spokesperson said: “We 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.
“The nomination process is now open and An Garda Síochána in Donegal is inviting the public to nominate a young person or young people who is/are committed to making a difference in their community.”
Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan said: “The Garda Youth Awards is a fantastic initiative.
“Since the awards were launched in Donegal in 2019, it has become very clear that there is an abundance of talented young people in our community.
“They make various types of positive contributions on a regular basis. It is very important that such contributions are recognised and celebrated.
“Please continue to take this opportunity to nominate suitable young people, for consideration and recognition in their respective field.”
Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan talking with young people. Photo Brian McDaid.
Garda Inspector Freda Mc Cague is an awards adjudicator and said: “I am delighted to be associated with the Donegal Youth Awards this year for the first time and I am looking forward to seeing the high quality nominations that we have become accustomed to receiving from the young people in Donegal.
“Many of these young people have represented the county with distinction at national level over the last number of years.
“I urge people in positions of responsibility with young people to make use of this opportunity to nominate suitable youths for consideration and recognition in their respective fields.”
There are four separate award categories for young people.
The individual award is for making a positive contribution to the community, making it a better place to live in.
Similarly, the group award is for two or more young people who make a positive contribution to their community to make it a better place to live.
The special achievement award recognises someone who has overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds, and whose commitment deserves recognition, according to the Garda spokesperson.
He explained that the community safety award is for someone who made their community a safer place to live thanks to a crime prevention or safety initiative.
The winners of the 2025 Donegal Youth Awards were Karolina Byrne (individual), Rihanna Reynolds (special achievement), Casey Reid and Aoife Cameron (community safety), John Cannon and Ryan Quinn (group), and special recognition (Paddy Boyle).
Donegal also had two winners at the 2025 national awards with Paddy Boyle (special recognition) and Rihanna Reynolds (special achievement).
Nomination forms may be obtained from any Garda station.
A copy of the form may also be requested by emailing [email protected] or via download from the www.garda.ie website.
Completed forms can be emailed or posted to Garda Gráinne Doherty, Letterkenny Garda Station, Newline Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, F92 PC03.
The deadline for nominations is 12pm on Tuesday, July 7.
Winners and nominees will be notified of the awards ceremony by the organising committee before the event is held later this year.