Four Clare teachers awarded for saving girl from drowning

FOUR Clare teachers who saved a young woman’s life have been recognised at a national awards ceremony.

The girl who was saved from the river Fergus by four teachers of Cloughleigh school was among the 29 lives saved nationally from near-drowning rescues so far this year.

55 rescuers across the country received recognition at the Water Safety Ireland’s national annual awards ceremony at the Printworks Event and Exhibition Centre, Dublin Castle this Tuesday, November 14.

Teachers Ailish Collins, Conor Healy, Joe Garry and Jamie Malone successfully saved a girl from drowning and she made a full recovery. 

In June, staff and students of Cloughleigh school were returning from a sports day by the river Fergus walk, when they became alerted to a woman calling for help for her daughter. 

All four teachers, Ailish, Conor, Joe and Jamie entered the water and managed to keep the girl afloat, while another got a paddle board from the school store. They successfully brought the girl ashore. 

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Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Sport and Physical Education), Thomas Byrne presented the ‘Seiko Just in Time Award’ to those who risked their lives to save others’. 

“I want to commend the valiant efforts of these individuals who save others from drowning and to also pay tribute to the ongoing work of Water Safety Ireland volunteers who teach swimming and water rescue skills,” Mr Byrne said.

Adding to this, Water Safety Ireland CEO Joanne Walsh, said: “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.”