Well deserved.
Davitt Walsh, the man whose bravery saved the life of a four-month old baby during the horrific Buncrana tragedy earlier this year, received a People of the Year award last night.
Walsh was given the award at a special gala last night presented by Grainne Seoige and Aidan Power after he heroically swam out to Buncrana harbour in an effort to save the lives of a family whose car had slid from a slipway into Lough Swilly.
Sean McGrotty, 49, his sons Mark, 12, and Evan, 8, his mother-in-law Ruth Daniels, 59, and her daughter, Jodie Lee, 14, died tragically as a result, but Walsh was able to save the life of McGrotty’s daughter Rioghnac-Ann, who was only four months old at the time.
Other people honoured at the awards included Robbie Keane, who won the International Person of the Year, in recognition of his 68 goals in 146 appearances for Ireland before his retirement following Euro 2016 earlier this year.
There were joint-winners of the Sports Person of the Year Award as Olympic silver medalists Gary and Paul O’Donovan shared the award with fellow Olympic silver medalist Annalise Murphy.
24-year-old Alan Herdman received a Young Person of the Year Award for saving the lives of eight children who nearly drowned in Rusheen Bay, Galway earlier this year.
Brother Kevin Crowley was also honoured for running the Capuchin Day Centre which provides hundreds of meals each day to rough sleepers.
Community Group of the Year was given to AMEN, which supports male victims of domestic abuse.
John Muldoon and Pat Lam received a Person of the Year award for leading Connacht to their first Pro 12 title in history.
Róisín and Mark Molloy were honoured for their campaign in highlighting the inadequate standards of maternity services and 11-year-old Milo McCarthy received a Young Person of the Year Award for raising €18,000 euro for Syrian refugees by busking on the streets of Cork.
Well done to all…
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