Courageous citizens honoured at awards ceremony

A MAN who drowned at Inny Strand in Waterville, Co Kerry, 21 years ago while trying to rescue his lifelong friend in treacherous conditions was honoured posthumously with the highest national bravery award at a ceremony in Leinster House.

Paddy Sean Fogarty from Waterville, Co Kerry, who never hesitated to help anyone in need, swam to his friend, Fr Willie Murphy, but became tangled in rope and was unable to get ashore. Help arrived but the Glasgow-based priest was pronounced dead at the scene. Paddy Sean also lost his life trying to save his friend.

Fr Murphy had suffered from polio as a younger man and used to go swimming to ease the effects of the disease.