Teen heroes honoured at Garda Youth Awards

Two Offaly teenagers who have made remarkable contributions to their local communities have been honoured at the 3rd Annual Laois Offaly Garda Youth Awards.

15-year old James Saunders from Gurteen Bridge in Killeigh who received life-changing injuries in a devastating road traffic accident in April 2019 received the Tullamore Garda District Special Achevement Award and was described as “an exceptional young hero” at the awards ceremony.

The recipient of the Special Achievement Award is someone who has “overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.

James was nominated for a Garda Youth Award by one of his teachers in Tullamore College, Ann McNamara, who described him as always being in good humour, well known for his quick wit and someone who “loves to make a joke” to lighten a conversation. She added that “his positivity is infectious.”

Despite having spent nine months in Temple Street Hospital, followed by three months in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire after his bike was in collision with a car on April 16, 2019, while he was out for a leisurely cycle with his mother, Dympna, the young Killeigh student was described by his nominee as being “a hard-working and intelligent student” in Tullamore College.

In the citation which was read out at last Saturday’s Garda Youth Awards Ceremony, James Saunders was described as showing “leadership beyond his years” and a spirit “which is impossible to defeat or subdue”.

The inspirational young student, who has one older brother, Jack, was also lauded as having “true courage” and a fighting spirit that has shown his fellow students “that nothing is impossible when we have the courage and determination to face our challenges head-on.”

Guests at the Awards Ceremony also heard that the remarkable Killeigh teenager is inspired by Mohammed Ali’s quote ‘If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.’”

“His indominable spirit is an inspiration to his teachers and fellow students” said his nominating teacher, Ms. McNamara, who added that, in Tullamore College he “likes to be known as James (as in Bond) and his assistant is now known as Miss Moneypenny.

James Saunders was accompanied at the Garda Youth Awards Ceremony by his proud parents, John and Dympna, his brother Jack and the Tullamore College teacher who nominated him for the Special Achievement Award, Ms. Ann McNamara.

The second Offaly recipient of a Garda Youth Award last weekend was 18-year old Banagher student, Gráinne Malone, from Coolfin, who won the Award for the Birr Garda District, and whose greatest gift was described as “her goodness, caring nature and moral compass.”

Gráinne, who is the oldest of Petria and Leo Malone’s three children, was unable to attend the Awards Ceremony as she is currently in her First Year of studying BioMedical Science at Notre Dame University in the United States, where her Grand Uncle Fr. Ernan Mc Mullin was Head of Philosophy for 50 years and where two of her Uncles and her Godmother also graduated from.

However, her 13-year old sister, Ailís, was on hand to accept the Award on behalf of her big sister, who was nominated for a Garda Youth Award by one of her teachers in Banagher College, Ms. Kathleen Gleeson.

Gráinne Malone completed her Leaving Certificate at Banagher College earlier this year and received a full Scholarship to attend Notre Dame. In the citation from her nominating teacher she was described as being “hard-working, responsible and mature beyond her years” who had immersed herself in all aspects of school life and had also been involved in many extra-curricular projects.

Lauded as a young woman who “enriches people’s lives” the Banagher native organised weekly visits to the local Nursing Home for a group of her peers while she was a Transition Year student in Banagher College and she also

served as Chairperson of the Student Council where she “excelled” according to Ms Gleeson.

Among her other achievements while still a second-level student was a fundraiser to mark World Down Syndrome Day, which has now become an annual event in Banagher College; representing Offaly on the National Youth Assembly on Climate Change; working with the aid organisation, Afri; working with Comhairle nan ÓG, where she produced a video on exam stress and worked on the National Executive to produce a Gender Equality and Women’s Rights Policy to be adopted by Offaly County Council.

Grainne Malone’s mother, Petria, told the Offaly Independent this week that her daughter was “delighted, surprised and honoured” to receive a Garda Youth Award, and she admitted that she was “in tears” at the Awards Ceremony when she heard the citation for her eldest daughter being read out.

The Malones have one son, 16-year old Caoimhín, who is in 5th year in Banagher College while their youngest daughter, Ailís, is in 1st year.