Sylvia O'Brien of Centra Kilmessan with Garda Emma Keane, Sgt Martina Gallagher, and Sgt Dean Kerins at the Youth Awards Launch. Photo: Seamus Farrelly

Garda Youth Awards to recognise positive work of Meath youngsters

Entries are open for the Garda Youth Awards for 2019, run by the Meath Garda Division in association with Centra. The awards celebrate outstanding young people living in Meath between the ages of 13 and 21 years.

An Garda Siochana and Centra recognise that a considerable amount of positive work is being done by young people throughout communities across Meath.  Nominations are now being accepted for young people who make a positive contribution to their community, helping to make it a better place to live. Groups of two or more young people whose combined efforts have contributed positively to their communities will also be considered.

The award categories include a ‘Special Achievement’ award for a young person who has overcome difficult circumstance and whose bravery sets them apart.  The ‘Adult/Mentor’ award recognizes that many young people get invaluable help along the way from an adult, be it in their capacity as mentors, coaches, group leaders etc. This vital and often unheralded work helps to develop a sense of self-worth in young people.

The first National Garda Youth Awards Scheme was held earlier this year and one winner in four of the categories will go forward to represent Meath at the National Garda Youth Awards.  There is also a new category this year for ‘Community Safety’ which is for young people who through a crime prevention or safety initiative have made their community a safer place to live.

Centra has been a proud sponsor of the Meath Garda Youth Awards throughout the years. They are sponsored by the following local Centra stores:

Bird’s Centra, Athboy
Bird’s Centra, Ballivor
Brogan’s Centra, Carlanstown
Carr’s Centra, Kells
Costello’s Centra, Kilmessan
Dunne’s Centra, Stamullen
Farrelly’s Centra, Abbey Crescent
Hannon’s Centra, Commons Road
Hallinan’s Centra Garden City Ashbourne
McGurk’s Centra, Blackcastle
Pelco Centra, Batterstown 
Pelco Centra, Kilmoon, Ashbourne
Rodney’s Centra, Nobber
Sweeney’s Centra, Ratoath


Each person nominated will receive a Certificate of Nomination to recognise their positive impact on their community. The overall winners will be contacted by their local Gardai and will be invited to receive their awards at a Gala dinner in the Headfort Hotel, Kells on Wednesday 6th November 2019.

To apply, nomination forms are available in the participating Centra stores or on centra.ie/about/garda-youth-awards. Forms will also be available at Garda Stations throughout the county.  Nominations are to be returned by post or personal delivery to Garda Catherine Cronin JLO Navan Garda Station or Garda Ashling Connor JLO Ashbourne Garda Station.  The closing date is 9th October 2019.