Garda Youth Awards

Dublin North Central
Garda Youth Awards 2023

The first Garda Divisional Youth Awards were created by a local Juvenile Liaison Officer in West Cork in 1995. He noticed that the young people in the community were doing tremendous things which deserved recognition. The awards has grown in leaps and bounds since then.

In 2019, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris launched the first An Garda Síochána National Youth Awards saying “The inaugural Garda National Youth Awards will be a showcase for the positive contribution young people are making in their communities. The awards at national and divisional level are a great way for Gardaí to develop strong relationships with community groups and young people in their area.”

Young community leaders of the future attended the 2023 Gard Youth Awards at Croke Park Stadium on July 7th last.

The annual awards recognise outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 who do good work in the community areas covered by the Bridewell, Store Street and Fitzgibbon Street and Mountjoy Garda Stations and are proudly supported each year by the NEIC and Croke Park.

Representing Croke Park Stadium, Marie Smith, said how important the awards are and praised the young winners for their determination, courage and dedication to others.

2023 Award Winners

D District Winner – Mark Isong
U District Winner – Roisín Gilligan
C District Winner – Ava Henry
Divisional Award Winner - Brandon Coakley

Special Achievement Award - Bike Mechanics Programme
Special Achievement Award - Marcus Ncube
Special Achievement Award - Hollie Rafferty
Special Achievement Award - Craig Byas

Group Award Winners - Hill Street Yoth Leadership Group
Group Award Winners - Kyle Glynn, Luke Fagan & Lio Cabral Garcia
Group Award Winners - St Vincent's Tidy Towns Group

Hall of Fame Award Winner – Frank Mulville

D District Award Winner 2023

The community area covered by the Bridewell Garda Station

Mark Isong was the recipient of the ‘D District’ Award; which recognised the positive contribution Mark makes in his school. Mark has experienced racist behaviour but has not let it drag him down. He engages with his school community through his involvement in both sports and social justice groups/events. In a recent event for culture day Mark did a presentation to the other sutdents describing his background and culture.

U District Award Winner 2023

The community area covered by Mountjoy Garda Station.

Róisín Gilligan has helped plan and run training days for younger scouts in the Tolka County Group. She is a Leaving Cert student but always makes time for Cubs on a Monday night. Róisín has volunteered to be on the National Team which will train her to deliver programmes at community level.

Róisín's Dad accepted the award on her behalf.

C District Award Winner 2023

The community area covered by Store Street Garda Station

Ava Henry was the award winner in the C District for the positive contribution she makes to Docklands Boxing Club. She is involved in coaching some of the younger members of the club. Her committment demonstrates to others that if you work hard you can achieve your dreams. She is a six time Irish champion as well as winning a European silver medal in 2019 and the European championship in 2022.

Divisional Award Winner 2023

Brandon Coakley has been involved with Belvedere Youth Club since he was 7 years of age. In recent years he has channelled his passion and football skills into coaching the Belvedere Football Club Under 10's and the 'Little Eagles'. When his team were stuggling to find a place to train, Brandon was able to use his relationship with the youth club to identify a training facility on site and continue to develop the team.

He promotes the benefits of volunteering and how positive it makes him feel. He plays a peer leadership role within Belvedere Youth Club and shows patience and time for the young people he is involved with.

Hall of Fame Award Winner 2023

Frank Mulville has worked in the North Inner City for many years. A trained social worker Frank has had many different roles in the social care area and was involved in Oberstown for many years. Frank also ran walking tours for those working in service provision in the area so they could forge links with others and understand the needs in the area.
Frank has been a real source of knowledge, good will and care for all service providers who work with children in the North Inner City for many years.
Frank will find a solutuon for any issue brought to his attention and it's always done with good humour and a positive outlook.