Quick-thinking sisters honoured for saving baby’s life

SISTERS Mary and Róisín were babysitting their 12-week-old nephew when they noticed he’d stopped breathing.

Recalling the training she’d received as an Order of Malta cadet, Mary performed resuscitation techniques on baby Ethan. Both sisters then took turns to perform CPR until the Order of Malta ambulance arrived. Their swift action saved the baby’s life.

Yesterday, the two sisters were honoured in a ceremony to mark the launch of the Order of Malta’s new fundraising campaign.

Tánaiste Mary Harney presented a special award to the two Order of Malta cadets, Mary, 16, and Róisín, 14. The sisters from Louisberg, Co Mayo, received the bronze medal to mark Sticky Plaster Day tomorrow, which aims to raise funds for the Order of Malta’s life-saving work.

Mary said she was very glad she knew how to treat her nephew but had never thought she would have to put her training to use in such personal circumstances.

“If I didn’t know how to do it, Ethan probably wouldn’t be alive today. I never thought I’d have to do that - it was so scary when it happened.”

Both sisters said they were determined to carry on volunteering for the Order of Malta.

Garda James Corrigan, a volunteer with the Order of Malta who responded to the emergency, said he was very proud of the girls, who are part of the 25-strong cadet force in the area.

Sticky Plaster Day will see the sale of €2 plaster packs to fund and improve ambulance, first aid and community care services operated by the charity.