Two young Offaly people recognised at Garda National Youth Awards

TWO young Offaly people were recognised at the annual National Garda Youth Awards, which were presented in Portlaoise recently.

Michael Dennedy received an award in the Special Achievement Category while Freya Maher was honoured with a Special Recognition Award.

The National Garda Youth Awards recognise exceptional young people aged 13-21 who have positively contributed to their community.

This year’s event took place at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise and acknowledged the remarkable contributions made in a number of Garda Divisions which included Clare/Tipperary, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny/Carlow, Mayo/Roscommon/Longford, Laois/Offaly, Limerick, Westmeath and Wexford.

The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris presented each of the 24 awards.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assistant Commissioner for Road Safety and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman said, "Our Garda National Youth Awards are about recognising the incredible work done by young people in communities all over Ireland for the sake of others.

"They often don’t get enough credit for the variety of challenges they face in today’s society and particularly for how they responded to the difficulties they encounter, but they support one another and help their communities with great enthusiasm.

"Each one of this year’s recipients demonstrate all that is wonderful about our young people, and as Gardaí we are so proud of their hard work. We hope the Garda National Youth Awards are a fitting acknowledgement of the positive and meaningful contribution that these young people are making to society.”

The citation for Michael Dennedy stated:

“Michael Dennedy had only just started his summer break last year when he lost his leg as a result of a tractor accident.

“Michael bravely powered through and insisted on returning to school for the first day of the new school year, despite only just leaving the hospital.

“Michael has remained exceptionally positive throughout his ordeal. He has never let his injury prevent him from achieving anything he sets his sights on.

“Michael continues to work with hurling and soccer teams as an assistant coach and has taken part in all class activities to the absolute fullest of his ability. He has held his friends close throughout and in turn, his friends have been exceptionally good to him.

“Michael’s presence brings out the best in everyone he encounters. Michael has embraced wheelchair sports and has recently won a silver All Ireland medal for wheelchair hurling with Leinster.

“All 150 students in Michael’s year group, as well as hundreds more from his hometown of Kinnitty, Co. Offaly and beyond, have been touched and motivated by his resilience.

“Michael has some distance to go in his recovery but we know he has the strength and bravery to go on and accomplish anything he puts his mind to.”

Freya Maher was a Special Recognition Award winner and the citation outlined the reasons why she received the award.

“Freya Maher was out riding horses with friends when her horse-riding instructor was thrown to the ground by their mount.

“Freya did not hesitate to spring into action. Upon checking, Freya noticed that the instructor had no pulse and immediately began CPR compressions while simultaneously ringing for an ambulance.

“With the instructor’s bulky jacket and body protector, administering CPR was made even harder for her to do effectively. That’s not to mention all of the cars passing by her on the busy road she and her friends had been riding their horses through at the time.

“Freya continued to provide CPR until emergency services arrived on scene to take her instructor to hospital. Freya’s quick thinking undoubtedly saved the life of her instructor.

“In spite of experiencing this traumatic event, Freya returned right back to school without so much of a word about the day’s events.

“Her actions on that day can only be described as exceptional.”