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Friday, 22 March 2024 08:48

Michael Dennedy and his Mother Rita Flaherty

An Offaly teenager who lost his leg in an accident has been nominated at the Garda Youth Awards.

The Chief Superintendent in Laois Offaly says there is a lot of good work being done by young people. 

Tony Lonergan also says after hearing the inspiring, positive and emotional stories shared at the Laois Offaly Garda Awards in Portlaoise last night he believes the future of the communities we live in are in safe hands. 

The ceremony acknowledges the resilience, dedication and fundraising efforts of young people between the ages of 13-21. 

14-year-old Michael Dennedy from Kinnitty, who lost his leg in a crash involving a tractor last July, says he's grateful that he was nominated for it:

Eighteen prestigious awards were presented in three categories.
The Individual Award winners were
1.    Matty Doyle, Youth Work Ireland Laois 
2.    Luke Lynam, Family Carer's Ireland 
3.    Charlie Beaudelot, Offaly Comhairle na nÓg  
4.    Rachel Fennelly, Laois Civil Defence
5.    Eoin Moylan, Colaiste Naomh Cormac  

The Group Award winners were
1.    Rahman Youth Group, Portlaoise 
2.    Dignity Partnership, Portlaoise 
3.    Portlaoise Resource Centre, Senior Youth Club 
4.    Cordelia Joyce & Elisha McDonagh, Offaly Traveller Movement 
5.    The Order of Malta Cadets, Portlaoise 

The Special Achievement winners were
1.    Michael Dennedy, St. Brendan's Community School, Birr 
2.    Danny Talbot, Coláiste Íosagáin, Portarlington 
3.    Chandell Mongan, Sihann Mongan, Amelia Dooley, Ebony McDonagh, Fusion Tullamore
4.    Patryk Paszkiewicz, Old Bank Youth Centre, Portlaoise
5.    Max Power, Fusion Portlaoise 
6.    Liam Hoare, St. Brendan's Community School, Birr 

The Special Recognition Award winners were 
1. Freya Maher, Banagher College - Coláiste na Sionna 
2. The Student Community of St. Mary's CBS, Portlaoise 

Midlands 103's Sinead Hubble was there on the night and begins this report with Ebony McDonagh, Sihanne Mongan, Amelia Dooley and Chandell Mongan were recognized for recording a song to express their feelings following the death of their cousin:

A special guest on the night was Ronan Belle of  Tullamore band, 'Chasing Abbey'. Ronan generously gave his time to attend the event and present an award. 

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The MC for the evening was Anne Marie Kelly of MidlandsIreland.ie. 

This year's awards were presented by Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan, Laois/Offaly Garda Division, Superintendent Eamonn Curley, Portlaoise District and Superintendent John Lawless, Tullamore District.

Pat McDonagh and Pádraic Ó'Neachtain of Supermacs and the Só Hotel Group were also present. 

Also attending on the night were members of the Garda Youth Awards Committee and the Judging Panel - Stephen Grant of Grant Engineering, Jackie Carroll of Laois Chamber Alliance,  Philip Peake, Group General Manager of Só Hotels and Inspector Jane Ryan, Portlaoise. Anne Marie Kelly was also a member of the Judging Panel. 

Musical entertainment was provided by local talent Alright Then headed by singer/songwriter Conor McLoughlin.

The ceremony concluded with beautiful traditional music provided by the The Portlaoise Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. 

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