GARDA YOUTH AWARDS

Celebrating outstanding accomplishments

THE old adage states that ‘ the youth are the future’. If that’s the case then Wexford’s future certainly looks assured as a whole host of inspiring young people took centre stage at the annual Garda Youth Awards at County Hall.

The event saw a huge attendance as youngsters aged from 11 to 21 from right across the county were nominated for outstanding acts in their local communities. Among the heart-warming stories were acts of bravery, raising awareness around disabilities, overcoming medical conditions, working within the LGBT community and integrating into a completely new culture.

There was plenty to celebrate on the night as a total of 16 awards were handed out to young people, while both Mary Connors and the 6th Year Daffodil Day Committee from Gorey Community School unfortunately couldn’t attend on the night, but will receive their awards this week.

The panel on the night had a near impossible task to select just one recipient to go forward to represent Wexford in the national competition and in the end they had to select two - Mary Connors and Sam Sludds Bradshaw.

The pair will now be considered by a national panel and will aim to be among the 15 finalists who will contest the National Garda Youth Awards later this year. While presenting awards, Chief Supt. Denis Ferry said that each of the youngsters had made an outstanding contribution and should be very proud of themselves.