Donegal life-savers recognised at Water Safety Ireland Awards

Three lives were saved from drowning in Donegal by rescuers who received recognition at Water Safety Ireland’s National Annual Awards Ceremony at The Hibernia Conference Centre.

The contributions of Garda Peter McGee; Garda Keith Conlon, Garda Deirdre Connolly and Garda Tara McGrory, as well as Rohan Debeny Bazeley and Yanto Carrothers were recognised at Dublin Castle as part of the 32 recipients who saved 19 lives nationwide.

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On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Garda McGee observed a female in distress in the water at Port Bridge, Letterkenny.

Without hesitation, Garda McGee entered the water and swam towards the female. The water was quite deep, the tide was coming in and the current was strong. He managed to grab onto the woman and bring her over towards the riverbank. He held on valiantly to the wall of one of the arches of the bridge until a ringbuoy was thrown to him. He used the ringbuoy to bring the woman back to the edge and up onto the embankment to safety. She was taken to hospital where she made a full recovery. The swift and brave actions of Garda Peter McGee undoubtedly prevented the loss of life and won a JIT (Just in Time) Award.

Garda Keith Conlon, Garda Deirdre Connolly, Garda Tara McGrory from Donegal receiving a Seiko Just In Time & Rescue Appreciation Award

Then, on September 17, 2023, Gardai Keith Conlon, Deirdre Connelly and Tara McGrory arrived at Lough Swilly in Buncrana, they were a group of people said that there was a man in difficulty somewhere in the water but it was dark and visibility was poor. Gardai Conlon and Connolly waded into the water for 400 meters, making their way in the general direction of the person in distress. They continued to call out while Garda McGrory shone her torch in their direction from shore. They eventually located the male who was on a sandbar. They reassured him and eventually managed to bring him safely to shore. He made a full recovery. Garda Conlon and Garda Connolly picked up JIT awards and Garda Tara McGrory a Rescue Appreciation Award.

Rohan Debeny Bazeley, Yanto Carrothers from Donegal receiving a Seiko Just In Time & Rescue Appreciation Award

On the evening of May 18, 2024, at Portnablagh pier, both Rohan and Yanto heard yelling down at the pier. They observed Gardai arriving at the scene. They grabbed kayaks, entered the water and paddled quickly towards a woman in distress. Upon reaching the woman, they noticed she was afloat and holding onto something by the pier. Gardai had managed to grab a hold of the female and both students remained in the water with her until she was safely pulled onto the pier to safety by members of the Gardai. She made a full recovery. Ronan and Yanto won the Rescue Appreciation Awards.

Anne Rabbitte TD, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will acknowledge 32 recipients of the ‘Seiko Just in Time Award’ and rescue appreciation awards for saving nineteen lives at risk of drowning.

“It is an honour to pay tribute to the courageous and deserving award recipients being recognised at Water Safety Ireland's National Awards Ceremony,” she said. “I want to commend the valiant efforts of these individuals who saved others from drowning and to also pay tribute to the ongoing work of Water Safety Ireland volunteers who teach swimming and water rescue skills.

“I know that among the other recipients to receive awards, are 136 volunteers who will be presented with Long-Service Volunteer Awards, recognising a combined total of 2,535 years of personal voluntary service teaching swimming, water rescue and survival skills in communities nationwide. That is a remarkable achievement and I want to commend every volunteer who devotes their spare time to making our waters safer.”

Water Safety Ireland CEO Joanne Walsh stated: “We all know that safety is a small investment required for the delivery of a rich future and in order to make this happen we need everyone to be water safety aware and water safety conscious. Drownings can happen quickly and silently but with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes everyone can avoid the hazards and take responsibility for their own safety. Start a water safety conversation with your family, friends and colleagues and encourage them to read Water Safety Ireland’s guidelines at www.watersafety.ie so they can enjoy Ireland’s waterways safely.”