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Seamus McLoughlin, Grace McLoughlin, Cathal McLoughlin, Ciarán Sears, Helen McLoughlin, Tom Sears and Margaret Sears at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 250 people from across the county attended the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2018 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday night.
The evening commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 24 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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Seventeen year old Ian O’Connell from Killarney was described as an outstanding individual, an inspiration to all and a true real life hero when he was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2018.
When Ian was 16 years old, he became paralysed from the neck down after falling off his bike in the Killarney National Park.
The entire country was inspired by Ian O’Connell’s remarkable interview on the Late Late Show last May. His motto “If I can’t stand up, I will stand out” has made him a national hero for his positive attitude to life.
Ian was presented with a specially commissioned crystal trophy and the Overall Winner Certificate to mark his achievement.
The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Group Award was presented to the Sporting Chance Programme – National Learning Network. The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Ciarán Sears in Tralee.
The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented Kevin Lenihan, Eamon Nolan and James McDonnell from Castleisland Community College.
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 Alannah Blennerhassett, Tralee; Oisín Bolt, Killorglin; Ian Coleman Horgan, Killorglin; Zara Daly, Kilcummin; Nathan Egan, Castleisland; Con Enright, Currow Village; Ava Fitzmaurice, Castleisland; Edmond Healy, Duagh; Ellen Hickey, Killarney; Alexandra Kelly, Tralee; Caoimhe Lynch, Beaufort; Ciarán MacGearailt, Baile ‘n Fheirtéaraigh; Cathal McLoughlin, Tralee; Ruth O’Connell, Tralee; Michaela O’Donoghue, Ballymacelligott; Jude Pierse, Ballyduff; Weronika Slomiany, Killarney; Melanie Smith, Blennerville; Rebecca Thompson, Caherciveen and Donald Walsh, Tralee.
Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented; “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Over the past 21 years Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry. The awards are a fantastic celebration of their outstanding achievements.”
Chief Superintendent Tom Myers stated “An Garda Síochána consider it essential to engage in a positive fashion with the young people in our communities. In doing so it is necessary to acknowledge positive achievements by those young people, whether these are in the fields of voluntary work in the community, sport, or education. It would not be possible to acknowledge this achievement and have an occasion whereby the families of nominees can join in the celebrations without the support from Lee Strand, the local Co-Op highly respected in the community.” Scroll down for photos…
Ann Walsh, Donald Walsh and Luke Walsh at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Davin Godfrey, Supt Dan Keane, Damien Smith, Catherine Smith, Melanie Smith and Chief Supt Tom Myers at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ian O’Connell with Michael Horgan, Breda Doona, Michael O’Connell, Nora O’Connell and John Doona at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Jennifer Coffey NEWKD, Pat Pierse, Jude Pierse and Louise Lyons NEWKD at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aisling O’Brien, Michaela O’Donoghue and Danielle O’Donoghue at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Caoimhe Lynch and Siobhan Lynch at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gearoid O’Neill, Leanne Savage, Davin Godfrey, Melanie Smith and Hugo Wells at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Awards at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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