Garda Youth Awards

D District Award Winner

The community area covered by the Bridewell Garda Station

Ciara Walsh was the recipient of the ‘D District’ Award; which recognised the positive contribution Ciara makes in her local community, her role in actively getting more young people into sport & the contribution she makes as a member of Smithfield Boxing Club.

U District Award

The community area covered by Mountjoy Garda Station.

Tom Gaskin was the award winner on the night in recognition for the positive contribution he is making in his school (St. Joseph’s Fairview) and his community through his involvement as a student ambassador for ‘Cycle Against Suicide’.

C District Winner

The community area covered by Store Street Garda Station

Jake Redmond was the award winner in the C District for the positive contribution he makes in his community which included his role as a peer educator with Jigsaw, a local volunteer with Localise & his participation as a member of the advisory group for the Government led Citizens Assembly on the reform of education.

Community Safety Award Winner

Mark Valente

Mark Valente from Belvedere Youth Club in Dublin 1 won the ‘Community Safety Award’ in recognition of the anti-bullying initiatives he developed to help other young people in his community.

Hall of Fame Award Winner

Jorge Santos of the Jorge Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Dublin 1 received this year’s Hall of Fame award which recognises the contribution of a community member to helping and supporting young people in the Dublin North Central Area. The academy is home to over 200 young students and the classes are described as a celebration of our wonderful multi-cultural community with young people from many different backgrounds taking part every day. Jorge’s award also acknowledges the quiet way he & his team of coaches help less fortunate students in the club train & not miss out due to financial disadvantage. Additionally, Jorge is also involved in organising other fundraising initiatives for local, national and international causes.

Group Award Winner

Corinthians Boxing Club from Dublin 1 won the ‘Group Award’ in recognition of the contribution they make in their local community area. With all coaches in the club volunteering their time to coach their young members, all the hard work and dedication is paying off! Within the last year alone, 3 boxers have gone on to represent the club at international level and won several Irish and Dublin boxing titles.

Overall Dublin North Central Garda Youth Award Winner

‘The Dialogue Group’ were the overall Dublin North Central Garda Youth Award winners for 2019. It’s a group of ten young people from three local youth groups in our community; the Neighbourhood Youth Project(2), the Belvedere Youth Club and Swan Youth Services, that came together to discuss ways to improve relationships with the local gardai in our community. Through their engagement to the process, this small group made a very positive impact in our community as they worked to encourage and build stronger ties and more positive engagement with local Gardaí. The judging panel were unanimous in their decision; recognising the group’s positive attitude, empathy & commitment to building stronger community relations and especially how the group have become a great role model for building bridges in our community.