A Tuosist teenager has been announced as the overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2025.
16-year-old Rebecca O’Sullivan was honoured for her tireless efforts to assist and fund-raise for young people with additional needs.
She has fund-raised for St Francis' Special School, Beaufort, and helped the Training with the Stars events, along with other fundraisers.
The Inspiring Our Youth accolade was given to disability advocate and Radio Kerry presenter Ian O'Connell.
The ceremony to honour Kerry's outstanding youth was held in the Rose Hotel, Tralee last night.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards began in 1998 with the aim of acknowledging the volunteer work of young people from Kerry aged 13 to 21.
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Overall winner, Rebecca O’Sullivan from Tuosist, has two brothers with additional needs, and was only 12-years-old when her brother Michael had a medical emergency that required hospitalisation for 18 weeks.
During this time Rebecca stepped up, taking care of the household through cooking, cleaning and ensuring her older brother's needs were met.
The group award was won by Tomás, Gearóid and Micheál O’Sullivan, along with Marcus Leahy and Cillian O’Sullivan of St Michael's College, Listowel.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Seán Kearney from Ardfert.
Conor and Gary O’Sullivan from Killarney were awarded the community safety award.
Twenty merit award certificates were presented to young people who’ve made their communities better places to live in:
Abbie Mazzelle, Listowel
Aobha, Grace & Holly Lyne, Ballinskelligs
Alan Scannell, Martin Villa & Conor Moynihan – St Brendan’s College Killarney
Amy Kennedy & Saidh King – Coláiste na Sceilge
Aoibhinn Harte, Listowel
Chloe Houlihan, Ballyduff
Eoin Quilter, Gavin Joy & Eoghan O’Regan – St Michael’s College Listowel
Intergenerational Group – Coláiste na Sceilge
Jayden McGrath Hennessy, Abbeydorney
Lily Falvey, Annascaul
Mean Scoil Nua an Leith Triuigh - Transition Year Class of 2025
Mischa McCarthy, Killarney
Odhran Lyons, Lyreacrompane
Order of Malta Cadets Killarney
Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine - Transition Year Class of 2025
Ruairí O’Sullivan, Beaufort
Ruth O’Malley, Killorglin
Shane Brennan, Kilgarvan
Sun Smarties – Castleisland Community College
Wipe Up Tralee Bay – Presentation Secondary School Tralee
Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan the awards are vital in recognising the excellent contributions of these young people to our communities.
On behalf of An Garda Síochána, he congratulated the recipients and their families, and expressed his thanks to Lee Strand for their continued sponsorship and support.
Ronan Savage, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Over the past 28 years Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry. The awards are a fantastic celebration of their outstanding achievements. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank our customers for supporting Lee Strand. It is only with the continued support of our customers that enables Lee Strand to continue to sponsor great celebrations like the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards.”
