'One of life's true heroes': President Higgins praises young Traveller who rescued two from drowning

Miley Doran rescued Stacey Foley and her daughter Sophie Foley-Smith, 13, after the pair got into difficulty while on a family outing near the banks of the River Barrow in Carlow.

A 17-year-old boy who saved a mother and daughter from drowning last month has been hailed a hero and an inspiration by the President.

Miley Doran has received an invite from President Michael D Higgins to visit Áras an Uachtaráin once it is safe to do so.