At the launch of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 were: Back Row (l to r) Garda Catherine Murphy; Garda Cecilia Scanlon; Sergeant Eileen O Sullivan; Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan; Brendan Coppinger, Killarney; John O’Sullivan, General Manger, Lee Strand; Garda Tim O Connell; Garda Michael Courtney and Garda Aidan O’Mahony. Front Row (l to r) Holly O’Donnell, Cloghane; Ross Sugrue, Tralee; Leona Stack, Abbeydorney and Rob Lee, Killarney. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD © Tralee Co Kerry Ireland Phone Mobile 087 / 2672033 L/Line 066 71 22 981 E/mail - info@dwalshphoto.ie www.dwalshphoto.com PRESS INFO -- NEWS RELEASE Call for nominations for the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016! The official launch of the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2016 was held this week at Lee Strand, in Tralee. Since 1998 the awards have acknowledged the achievements of young people from Kerry between the ages of 14 years and 19 years. The winners will be announced at a celebratory function in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee on Friday, January 27th, 2016. Awards will be presented for the Overall Winner, Certificates of Distinction, Certificates of Merit, a Voluntary Group Award and the Hall of Fame Award. Speaking at the launch Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan stated “An Garda Síochána are delighted to be associated with the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards. We often underestimate the worth of our youth who are both innovative and important to our future. It is important to recognise their excellence in the area of sports, arts, culture, charities or caring for a relative or friend. The awards have a positive effect on our wider community and I would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to Lee Strand for their continued sponsorship and support over the years. A special thank you also the media for publically recognising and promoting the awards on our behalf.” John O’Sullivan, General Manager, Lee Strand stated “Lee Strand has a strong commitment to supporting initiatives within the local community and we are delighted once again to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards. The awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the young people of Kerry, who have made a positive impact within their local community. This year we are also calling for nominations for the Hall of Fame Award. This award will recognise the community service of individuals of all ages who have made a positive impact working with Kerry’s youth over the years.” The closing date for receipt of nominations is Monday, December 5th, 2016. Any member of the public can nominate a young person whom they feel has made a contribution to their local area. Nominations are accepted from individuals, community and voluntary groups, schools and youth clubs/organisation. The winners will be selected by a panel of five judges who are community volunteers from around the county under the chairmanship of Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan, An Garda Síochána. Nominations are available from any Garda Station in Kerry; K.D.Y.S. Office in Tralee, Killarney and Listowel or by contacting Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102311. Nomination forms are also available to download on www.leestrand.ie