Winners recognised for outstanding Individual, Group, Special Achievement and Community Safety achievement

This year’s Garda eighth annual Roscommon Longford Garda Youth Awards, organised by An Garda Siochana Roscommon Longford and supported by Roscommon and Longford County Councils took place on Tuesday, October 6th in Roscommon Arts Centre.

This year’s awards honoured outstanding achievement in four different categories, namely Individual, Group, Special Achievement and Community Safety Initiative. Each of the winners have been honoured from over twenty nominees across both counties Roscommon and Longford.

The winner of this year’s Individual Award Winner is Daniel Mato from Ballaghaderreen who has been a dedicated member of the Ballaghaderreen community for the past seven years, consistently going above and beyond to support and including others.

As a member of the local Roma community, Daniel has helped break down barriers between Roma and non-Roma young people, encouraging his peers to engage with local youth services and community activities.

Daniel’s selflessness is particularly evident in the support he provides to a close friend who uses a wheelchair, ensuring he can participate fully in activities and opportunities. Through his kindness, inclusivity and commitment to his community, Daniel has become a positive role model for young people, demonstrating the difference that compassion, friendship and looking out for others can make.

The winner of this year’s Group award was presented to Castlerea Foróige for their efforts as part of Foróige’s Orchard Planting Project. Eighteen young people aged 14–18 from Castlerea came together through a Citizenship Project to create a community orchard at Bennett’s Walled Garden.

Bringing together young people from a range of nationalities and cultural backgrounds, the group transformed a neglected area by preparing the ground and planting apple trees, with the future harvest planned to support a local nursing home.

The project promoted integration, environmental awareness and intergenerational connections, while giving participants valuable opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, leadership and organisational skills. It is a lasting example of how young people working together can create positive change and strengthen their local community.

Honoured in the Special Achievement category was John McHugh from Longford who received the Special Achievement Award. John’s remarkable journey since being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in 2023 is a powerful story of resilience, determination and community spirit.

Despite the challenges of his condition, John continues to make a positive difference through his volunteering with the Inclusion Athletics Programme, as well as coaching U012 LGFA and girls’ soccer teams.

John’s commitment has helped children build confidence, enjoy sport and feel included, while inspiring fellow volunteers and the wider community. In 2025, John took his message even further, cycling from Donegal to Longford and raising an incredible €20,000 for charity while raising awareness of FND.

The winner of this year’s Community Safety Award is Caitlin Lowry from Longford Town who received the Community Safety Award. Caitlin has turned personal experience into a powerful commitment to raising awareness of sepsis and promoting kindness and online safety among young people.

Following the loss of her father to sepsis when she was 16, Caitlin educated herself on the signs and symptoms of the condition and now helps deliver workshops to encourage others to recognise the warning signs and seek medical attention.

Caitlin founded ‘Shine A Light on Sepsis’ and has used her platform, including winning Miss Ireland Teen 4 Change, to raise awareness through schools, social media, radio and local media. Caitlin also speaks openly about cyberbullying, online safety and the importance of kindness and respect, encouraging young people to look out for one another and help create safer, more inclusive communities.

Groups, communities, or local organisations were invited to nominate nominees who displayed outstanding personal ability, celebrating outstanding young people who have enhanced and supported their local communities. The awards acknowledge the endeavours of young people who have faced and overcome personal adversity.

Each of this year’s category winners were presented with glass trophies, certificates as well as a One-For-All voucher. The four Divisional winners' applications have been submitted to the National Judging Panel for final assessment.

This year’s judging panel comprised Longford County Council Cllr Garry Murtagh, Roscommon County Council Senior Executive Officer Fiona Ní Chuinn, An Garda Síochána Inspector David Cryan, RTÉ Midlands Correspondent Sinéad Hussey and former Roscommon Senior Footballer Dr Cathal Cregg.

Garda Colm Satchwell served as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s awards. Also present on the night were Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon as well as Superintendent Tomás Waters of Longford Community Engagement Functional Area.

Also present were Superintendent James O’Leary of Roscommon Garda Community Engagement Functional Area, Inspector David Cryan, Chair of Roscommon Longford Divisional Garda Youth Awards and Inspector Declan McGlynn of Longford Community Engagement Functional Area.

Speaking following the event, Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards Chairperson Inspector David Cryan said “The young people being recognised through the Garda Youth Awards demonstrate the very best of what can be achieved through compassion, resilience and a willingness to make a difference.

“Whether through supporting others, overcoming personal challenges or strengthening their local communities, each recipient has shown that small acts of kindness and determination can have a lasting impact. Their achievements are an inspiration to us all and a reminder that positive change can begin with one young person choosing to step forward and make a difference.”

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Domnick Connolly said the Garda Youth Awards “honoured outstanding young people of 13 and 21 years of age in the Roscommon Longford Garda Division, recognising the great work being done by young people in every community in both counties.

“Since their inception, the Awards celebrate all that is best in young people and the human spirit. Now in their eighth year, the awards celebrate courage, commitment and leadership. Each of our award winners and indeed all of our nominees have displayed these qualities in abundance. On the evidence of tonight, the future is in very good hands.”

Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan hailed the nominees, their parents, guardians and mentors who have support the award winners. “It’s wonderful to be joined by so many talented young people who have been rightly recognised again this year.

“These awards support the best qualities of our young people, celebrating initiative and enterprise as well as supporting others those less fortunate than themselves. Qualities of generosity, courage, commitment and loyalty will never go out of fashion. We are all social beings and we all need each other to bring out the best in each other.”

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan said, "The annual Roscommon Longford Garda Youth Awards remind us of what is best about our communities. The young people being honoured have shown kindness, leadership and a willingness to help others without seeking recognition. Their actions have made a real difference to the lives of those around them.

“I want to thank An Garda Síochána and Roscommon County Council for their continued partnership with Longford County Council in recognising positive contributions by young people. These awards celebrate excellence, but they also highlight the strength, compassion and potential that exists in communities across Longford and Roscommon.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Samantha Healy said, “Longford County Council is delighted to support this year’s Garda Youth Awards which honour the many unsung heroes in our communities who do selfless work on behalf of others. The young people recognised have shown resilience, leadership and a deep sense of responsibility to others.

“Longford County Council is honoured to support an initiative that celebrates these positive stories and encourages young people to continue making a difference in their communities. We extend our congratulations to all nominees, recipients and their families.”