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Distinction Award winner Ciara Lynch (third left), Caherleaheen, and Merit Award winner Leanne Savage (fourth left), Tralee, with Anthony Lynch, Margaret Lynch, Antoinette Savage and Gerard Savage at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 250 people from across the county attended the 20th year celebration of the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2017 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday.
The evening commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 27 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements. There were 22 Merit Awards, four Distinction Awards and the Overall Winner Award presented on the night.
Nineteen year old Dale O’Carroll from Greenville in Listowel was described as inspirational when he was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2017.
Overall winner Dale O’Carroll, Listowel, with mom and dad Paul and Claudette O’Carroll and from left; Noelle Lanigan, Marian Dee, Assistant Commissioner Southern Region, Ann Marie McMahon, Chief Supt Tom Myers, Supt Jim O’Connor, Myra O’Carroll, Noreen Mulvihill, Supt Dan Keane, Gerard and Paddy Mulvihill at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Dale was presented with a specially commissioned crystal trophy and the Overall Winner Certificate to mark his achievement.
Dale who plays basketball with Special Olympics in Tralee offers great encouragement with their younger participants.
Dale who works in SuperValu in Listowel regularly volunteers in Listowel Garden Centre and in the summer he volunteered at Deenagh Lodge Coffee shop in Killarney.
He was also recognised for his dedication to his Nan who is 85 years old and lives in Ballybunion. Dale loves spending time with his Nan and visits her every day to help with chores and sing songs together.
He is always smiling, he lights up the room with joy and has a positive attitude whenever he goes.
The four Distinction Award Winners were: Saoirse Casey, Crag, Castleisland; Miriam Hanlon, Asdee Village, Listowel; Ciara Lynch, Caherleaheen, Tralee and Abbi O’Mahoney, Ballydribeen, Killarney.
Merit Award winner Hugo Wells, Tralee, with Emma Molloy, Trisha Nolan and Linda Murphy at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The four distinction winners each received a Children of Lir bronze trophy and a Distinction Award Certificate to mark their achievement in this year’s awards.
Twenty two Merit Award Certificates were also presented to: Kelly Ahern, Firies; Darragh Boyd, Tralee; Adam Butler, Abbeydorney; Rachel Dunne, Tralee; Amy Flynn, Killarney; Davin Godfrey, Listowel; Maisie Hall, Castlegregory; Padraig Hunt, Lixnaw; DJ Kelleher, Kilgarvan; Mary Ellen McCarthy, Kilgarvan; Aoife Mahony, Listowel; Michael Murphy, Listowel; David Murrell Musgrave, Killarney; Clodagh Ní Shiúrdáin, Daingean Uí Chúis; Niall O’Brien, Beaufort, Killarney; Siobhan O’Byrne, Killorglin; Máirtín Ó’Cathasaigh, Lios Póil; Conor Horgan, Ardfert; Mary O’Sullivan, Killarney; Leanne Savage, Tralee; Hugo Wells, Tralee and Tara Whittington, Caherciveen.
Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented; “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Over the past 20 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…
Merit Award winner Tara Whittington (second right), Cahersiveen, with John, Daniel and Breeda Whittington at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Merit Award winner Rachel Dunne (centre), Tralee, with Thomas O’Sullivan and Kathleen Dunne at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Distinction Award winner, Abbi O’Mahony (centre), Killarney, with Philip McCarthy, Noeleen O’Mahony, Ronan Galvin and Catherine O’Mahony at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Merit Award winner, Davin Godfrey (centre), Listowel, with Patrick, Mary and Helen Godfrey and David Nagle at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Siobhan O’Byrne, KIllorglin, with Philip O’Byrne at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Distinction Award winner Saoirse Casey (third left), Castleisland, with Roisin, Orla and Lorna Casey, Kieran Enright and Con Casey at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Darragh Boyd, Tralee, with Ger, Ava and Roz Boyd at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winners Máirtín Ó’Cathasaigh, Lios Póil and Clodagh Ní Shiúrdáin, Daingean Uí Chúis at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Merit Award winner Adam Butler, Abbeydorney, with Pat Butler and Sarah Hayes at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner David Murrell Musgrave, Killarney, with David Musgrave and Mereassa Murrell Musgraveat the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Garda Cathy Murphy, Assistant Commissioner Ann Marie McMahon, Southern Region, Garda Liz Twomey, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Chief Superintendent Tom Myers and Garda Patricia Fitzpatrick at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Merit Award winner Niall O’Brien, Beaufort, with Edel O’Brien and Fiona Furlong at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winners Padraig Hunt, Lixnaw and Mikey Murphy, Listowel, with Daniel, Nora, Sean and James Hunt, Mike and Josephine Murphy at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Kelly Ahern, Firies, with David and Majella Ahern at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
