Rescuers honoured for their bravery

RESCUERS who saved the lives of 11 people from near-drowning incidents were among those honoured at the annual awards ceremony of Irish Water Safety in Dublin yesterday.

The Irish Examiner was presented with the National Press Award for its coverage of promoting topical water safety issues as they arose throughout last year.

A total of 18 people were honoured with the Seiko Just in Time rescue award in recognition of their life-saving role in 10 dramatic, near-death incidents by Irish Water Safety — the state body for promoting water safety in the Republic.

The awards were presented by Junior Environment Minister Michael Finneran, who praised the recipients for risking their own lives to save others.

Among those to receive an award was Brian MacCárthaigh, chairman of the Irish Surfing Association who rescued two children dragged out to sea at Tullan Strand in Bundoran, Co Donegal, last September.

Cork man Daniel Coughlan also received a rescue award for saving a woman who had got into difficulty in the River Lee last April. The youngest recipient was Brendan Bolger from Dublin, who celebrated his 16th birthday, for rescuing a friend who got into difficulty after jumping into the water off a yacht near Courtown, Co Wexford, last August.

Four gardaí, Trevor Keating and James Conneely, both from Sligo, and Damien Byrne and Liam Booth from Dublin, were among the award winners.

The other life-savers to receive awards were Rory O’Connor from Sligo; Carmel O’Toole, Pat Brennan, Barry Brennan, Dave Brennan and Matthew Carroll from Wicklow; Huge Byrne from Clare; Gary McCalmont from Donegal and Ciarán McManus, Ciarán O’Neill and Joseph Prior from Cavan.

The Irish Examiner was presented with the National Press Award for its coverage of water safety issues as they arose throughout last year.

Mr Finneran expressed concern that 145 drownings were recorded in Ireland in 2009, especially as nearly two-thirds of the total number of fatalities is classified as suicide or cause unknown.

“The word ‘tragic’ really doesn’t seem adequate when the most heartbreaking aspect of drowning deaths is that they are preventable,” observed the minister.

However, he said the total number of drownings would be even higher but for the efforts of brave people like those who were honoured.

Mr Finneran also praised the role of Irish Water Safety in life-saving training and congratulated volunteers around the country who devote their time to raising safety awareness.

“Being a lifesaver and passing on lifesaving skills and awareness to younger participants is true public service,” said the minister.

Special awards were also made to Norma Cahill and Oisín McGrath from Clare who won 10 gold medals and set four new world records at the recent World Lifesaving Championships in Egypt which involved some 3,000 competitors.

Another Clare native, Clare McGrath, was named Volunteer of the Year in recognition of over 25 years voluntary work in promoting water safety.