THERE were 170 guests from across the county attending the 25th celebration of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee on Friday.
The evening commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 25 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements.
Twenty Merit Awards, a Group Award, a Special Achievement Award, a Community Safety Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night.
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This year also welcomed the introduction of a new award entitled Inspiring our Youth Award. The awards scheme which first commenced in 1998 are held for youths between the ages of 13 and 21 years and recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry.
Twenty-one year old Patrick Clifford from Milltown was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Group Award was presented to ‘Bandage Your Language’, Mercy Mounthawk in Tralee.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Cian Heaslip from Tralee.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented to Tommy Boyle from Castleisland. The ‘Inspiring Our Youth’ Award was presented to Mary Gardiner.
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Twenty Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Merit Award Certificates were presented to individuals who have made a positive contribution to their community and make it a better place to live.
The recipients were: Allanah O’Sullivan, Tralee; Aoife Bourke, Blennerville; Caitlin McEnteggart, Firies; Cathal Casey, Ballinskelligs; Chloe Lynch Herlihy, Killarney; Ciara Nix, Tralee ; Dean McCarthy, Listowel; Dylan O’Connor, Killarney; Ethan McIntyre, Killorglin; Jared Tritschler, Listowel; Jessica Griffin, Tralee; Leah Murphy, Kilgarvan; Markas Bielovas, Killarney; Nicole Walker, Ballymacelligott; Odhran Ferris, Ardfert; Oisin Colton Foley, Castlemaine; Sarah O’Donoghue, Killarney; Shauna Riordan, Castleisland; Shay McCarthy, Waterville and Tara Foley, Killorglin.
Assistant Garda Commissioner for the Southern Region, Eileen Foster said; “This year is particularly significant, as it marks 25 years of the Kerry Youth Achievement Awards and is also An Garda Síochána’s Centenary year. An Garda Síochána would also like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Lee Strand in supporting the awards and providing a platform which recognises the efforts of young people throughout their communities.”
Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented; “We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank our customers for supporting Lee Strand. It is only with the continued support of our customers that enables Lee Strand to continue to sponsor great celebrations like the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards.” Scroll down for photos…
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