Garda Youth Awards 2017

D District Award Winner

The community area covered by the Bridewell Garda Station

Marianne Doherty is 14 years old and was nominated for the Garda Youth Awards by St. Peter’s Church in Phibsboro. Marianne received the award in recognition of the help and support she gives to young children in the church choir and the help and assistance she gives throughout the year for community events such as the summer garden party and helping her elderly neighbours at the Christmas Party.

U District Winner

The community area covered by Mountjoy Garda Station

Nominated by her mum Jackie for this award, Zara Carlyle is always looking out for her elderly neighbours on the North Circular Road. No more so was this the case when Zara’s observational skills and quick thinking protected her elderly 92-year-old neighbour when her home was being robbed on North Circular Road in 2017.

Special Achievement Award

Junior Mazongolo

Soccer is 17-year-old Junior Mazongolo’s passion and he was nominated by Don Bosco Care for the Garda Youth Awards 2017. Having successfully completed his Leaving Certificate in 2017, Junior is studying a management course at Coláiste Íde and playing lots of soccer – including representing Ireland as part of the Túsla Ireland Team. Off the field, Junior represented Doon Bosco and Ireland at the European Union Fundamental Rights conference in Brussels this year and the Dublin Central/North East After Care Forum for young people who have or who do live in care.

Special Achievement Award

Lauren Devoy Ní Chearúil

Nominated by her old primary school, 18-year-old Lauren Devoy Ní Chearúil has done a huge amount of voluntary work for Gael Scoil Bharra over the past three years, despite multiple operations & health challenges. Lauren works with primary school children on their art projects, as well as their reading and writing and the school’s green flag committee.

Group Award Winner

The Francesca Arkins Dance & Stage Academy, Sean McDermott Street

For over 20 years, the doors to the Francesca Arkins Dance & Stage Academy have been open on Sean McDermott Street and many hundreds of children from the local area have learned all different types of dance & stage craft skills over the years. Ranging in age from 4-18 years, the judging panel were particularly impressed with the support this talented bunch of young people are always willing to give to other community groups and projects by performing at many community events throughout the year.

Group Award Winner

The Larkin Community College Breakfast Club

Collecting the award are three young students who have been volunteering since the breakfast club started over 2 years ago and have quietly gone about making a difference to the wellbeing of their fellow students every day – Ali Grouse, Caitlyn Fay and Chloe Mulhall. Always reliable and enthusiastic, the judging panel were particularly impressed with the enormous contribution Ali, Caitlyn and Chloe make in their school every day.

Inaugural Hall of Fame Award Winner

This award especially recognises the contribution of a community member to helping and supporting young people in the Dublin North Central Area

Francesca Arkins is the inaugural Hall of Fame Award winner. For over 20 years, Francesca has run her dance & stage academy in Sean McDermott Street on the principle that each child is a star and they can shine in their own unique way. This award recognises the contribution our Francesca has made to the well-being of young people in Dublin’s north inner city.

Overall Award Winners

Mark Harmon & Aoife O’Connor

15-year-old Mark Harmon and Aoife O’Connor from the M.O.S.T. Project were nominated by Brádóg Youth Services for their involvement in a local project capturing what life is like growing up in O’Devaney Gardens. Wanting to move away from the negative aspects that are often portrayed in the media and showcase the community they grew up in, Mark and Aoife are documenting accounts from relevant community members and activists to show a varied and extensive account of their local area.