Young people recognised by gardaí at awards ceremony
Superintendent Gavin Hegarty, Thomas Barr, Dwayne Keniry Coady, De La Salle College, Overall Individual Award winner, Rose Of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, at the Tower Hotel for the annual Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Youth Awards. All Photos: Joe Evans
On Wednesday, May 20, the annual Garda Youth Awards took place in the Tower Hotel. The awards acknowledge those who make their communities and society in general a better place to live, and also acknowledge the endeavours of young people who have faced and overcome challenges in their life.
This year saw a combined Waterford Kilkenny Garda Division Youth Awards for the first time. There were winners in four categories and each received a Waterford Crystal engraved vase. There were also two special guests – Thomas Barr track and field Olympian and Katelyn Cummins, 2025 Rose of Tralee.
As a result of his earlier life experiences, Dwane developed selective mutism. In September 2023, he joined De La Salle College. In his first year, he struggled in a different environment. However, showing remarkable resilience, Dwayne built a friendship circle, attends social outings and takes part confidently in school activities.
De La Salle is an inclusive and welcoming school to over 42 different cultures. Dwayne chose to research all these cultures and created a display of their national flags, now proudly shown at the school entrance. He also researched products and services used in the school that originate from these countries, creating an additional display.
Dwayne brings great happiness to his school, family and those fortunate enough to know him and he continues every day to grow into a remarkable young man.
The overall winner of the Waterford Kilkenny Garda Youth Awards was CBS Dungarvan who were also the category winners of the Community Safety Award. They received the perpetual Pat Noctor Award. This group, made up of students Rian Bulfin, Krishay Dulera, Harry Higgins and Jack Shaw, will go forward to the National Garda Youth Awards, which will be held later in the year.
In co-operation with the Waterford/Kilkenny divisional drug unit, a public information event was organised by the students, aimed at raising awareness of the impact of drug-related intimidation in our local community and the effects it has on individuals and families.
This was an excellent initiative by these young students on a very important topic that can have a detrimental impact on young people, families and communities. They identified this issue through discussions around concerns in the local Dungarvan community.
The students engaged in conversations with peers, parents, family members and local sports and community groups to gain a broad perspective. Combined with media awareness and local experiences, these discussions led the group to recognise that drug-related intimidation was a significant local safety issue. The public information event, attended by high-ranking Gardaí with expertise in such issues, was of great benefit in raising awareness and understanding of such an important issue, and of the help available to those who may be in need but unaware of what to do.
The organisers of the awards thanked their sponsors, the Tower Hotel, Waterford Crystal, Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership, Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership and St Canice’s Credit Union.
