Wexford Garda Youth Awards Ceremony 2026

An Garda Sίochána in Wexford in association with Wexford County Council held the annual Garda Youth Awards ceremony in Wexford County Council on Monday 18^th May.  These annual awards are to acknowledge the achievements of young people who are making a difference in their own lives and in their communities within the Wexford Garda Division. They acknowledge the endeavours of young people who have faced and overcome challenges in their lives.  

The night was a huge success with over 120 people attending to celebrate the brilliance of these young people. 13 awards were presented over the course of the evening including individual awards for overcoming adversity, making positive contributions to their community and group awards such as raising awareness about drink spiking.        

The Individual awards went to Ella Colgan, Yosra El Hussein, Valeriia Stepanenko, Sokhrab Yanbekov and Sophie Healy. Special Achievement Awards went to Cian Hammel, Fernando Veresan, Luke Moorehouse, Darragh Power and Luke Sanders. The two groups to receive an award on the night were The Bling Girls and Sean Holden, Tiernan Codd and Kuba Dmoowski. The Community Safety Award went to The Enniscorthy Youthreach Learners Group.

Inspector Liam Kavanagh said: 

“An Garda Síochána, Wexford are delighted to share that this evening’s local Garda Youth Awards ceremony was a great success, thanks to the support and efforts of everyone involved.  A special thank you goes to Wexford County Council for their ongoing sponsorship and support which was instrumental in the event’s success.  I would also like to mention Woodies and Musgraves, Waterford for providing the balloons and refreshments. The presence of Cumas Céilí Band also contributed to the event. The most important aspect of this event is to recognise the young people who received awards. Their achievements exemplify the positive contribution being made across our communities and serve as inspiring examples of the potential within our youth in every corner of the county. An Garda Síochána remains committed to celebrating and supporting the achievements of the young people in County Wexford, and we look forward to continuing this work in the future” 

Wexford’s Chief Executive Eddie Taaffe attended the event and said: 

“It is an honour to be involved with the Garda Youth Awards.  It is vitally important to encourage our young people to reach their maximum potential. The young people are an example of the positivity and good that exists in our own community. They have accomplished things in a few short years, that will stand to them in their adult lives and it shows how much can be achieved with hard work and determination. I am heartened to see the breadth of experience, talent and dedication that exists in our younger citizens and look forward to seeing how much more they will achieve in the coming years.” 

The nomination process will be open again in early 2027 on the Wexford County Council’s website for anyone who would like to nominate a young person between the ages of 13 and 21 years for an award.