Inspiring young people honoured at Garda Youth Awards
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Cait Fleming, JLO; Garda Darren Mullin; Gordon Fleming, SuperValu Monaghan; Chief Supt Alan McGovern; Eugene McGorman, SuperValu, Carrickmacross and Edel Gilliland, JLO. ©Rory GearyImage 2 of 13
Kelly Foy from Foy’s SuperValu Cootehill and Chief Supt Alan McGovern, present Darah Kavanagh (centre), winner of the Individual Award category at the Cavan Monaghan Garda Youth Awards, with his accolade. ©Rory GearyImage 3 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern and Gordon Fleming, Fleming’s SuperValu, Monaghan, making the presentation to Majella McKenna and Hope Connolly, winners of the Group Garda Youth Award. ©Rory GearyImage 4 of 13
Eugene McGorman, McGorman’s SuperValu, Carrickmacross and Chief Supt Alan McGovern, making the presentation to winner of the Special Achievement Category at the Garda Youth Awards to Padraig McGilligan from Inver College, Carrickmacross. ©Rory GearyImage 5 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern, making the presentation of an Individual Garda Youth Award to Caolan Byrne, left and Dexter Coleman, from Inver College, Carrickmacross. ©Rory GearyImage 6 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern presents an Individual Garda Youth Award to Sarah O’Reilly from Beech Hill College. ©Rory GearyImage 7 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern presents an Individual Garda Youth Award to Lucas Bríody from Bailieborough Shamrocks GAA. ©Rory GearyImage 8 of 13
Chief Supt McGovern presents a Group Garda Youth Award to Monaghan Neighbourhood Youth Project / Foróige - Barry McGuigan Sticker / Podcast to Niall Greenan. ©Rory GearyImage 9 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern presents a Group Garda Youth Award to members of the Inver College Diversity Committee / Yellow Flag Programme, which was accepted by (from left) John Finlass, Sumer Finn, Kelvin Kawala and Gabriella Gomez. ©Rory GearyImage 10 of 13
Members of the Inver College TY Social Action Class accepted a Garda Group Award from Chief Supt Alan McGovern. ©Rory GearyImage 11 of 13
Charlie Clerkin Cawley from Beech Hill College accepts a Special Achievement Award from Chief Supt McGovern. ©Rory GearyImage 12 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGover presents a Special Achievement Garda Youth Award to Axel Balwin from Inver College, Carrickmacross. ©Rory GearyImage 13 of 13
Chief Supt Alan McGovern presents a Special Achievement Garda Youth Award to Quentin Curran, Cavan 365 Youth Diversion Project. ©Rory GearyThe Cavan/Monaghan Garda Youth Awards 2026 were presented at a special ceremony in the Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney, earlier this month. The event, sponsored by SuperValu, was organised by Community Policing Units in both counties. All nominees received certificates, with presentations made by Chief Superintendent for the division, Alan McGovern.
The Individual Award was presented to young Cavan man Darah Kavanagh, who was praised for his leadership, courage and community spirit through his work promoting online safety and supporting vulnerable members of the community. He shared personal insights into the impact of social media and online algorithms on young people. Darah also took part in a school letter-writing initiative aimed at tackling loneliness in nursing homes.
The Special Achievement Award went to Padraig McGilligan of Inver College, Carrickmacross. Padraig lost his mother, Geraldine, in 2024 and was subsequently forced to leave his family home. He also lost his grandfather in 2026. A Leaving Certificate student, Padraig has shown remarkable dignity, maturity and compassion in the face of exceptionally difficult circumstances and is regarded as an inspiration to the entire school community.
The Group Award was presented to students from Beech Hill College, Monaghan, Majella McKenna and Hope Connolly. Through volunteering, fundraising and advocacy, the group has supported a range of charities including Little Blue Heroes, the Gavin Glynn Foundation, Dogs Trust Ireland and Foróige. They have also helped organise Darkness Into Light events and undertaken training with the Red Cross
The best friends embody the spirit of volunteerism and community service.