Family of drowned man hail Zack, 13, a hero for trying to save him

A teenager who risked his life and braved strong currents in a bid to save a man from drowning has been hailed a hero.

The family of Michael O’Driscoll, 46, from Lower Killeens on the outskirts of Cork City, said Zack O’Leary, aged 13, from Blarney in Co Cork, should be nominated for a bravery award for trying to help Mr O’Driscoll when he got into difficulty in the river Lee last summer.

Despite Zack’s heroics, Mr O’Driscoll drowned after the incident in the Regional Park in Ballincollig, west of the city.