Bravery medal for Leitrim man who rescued three boys in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1964

Picture shows Barbara Fitzgerald accepting the award on behalf of her husband Tom Fitzgerald, originally from Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon, who received a silver medal and a certificate of Bravery, and John Burke who received a certificate of Bravery at the Oireachtas National Bravery Awards in Farmleigh House, Dublin.

At around 3 o'clock on Saturday, 19th of September, 1964, three boys were playing in a boat at the quays in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

The boat started to drift away on the current and the three boys began to panic as none of them could swim.

Tom Fitzgerald, who was then just 10 years old, saw one of the boys, a five year old, jump into deep water from the boat.

Tom plunged into the water and swam to the boy and brought him ashore.

He then went back into the water to assist an older boy who had also jumped from the boat to help but was in danger of drowning himself.

When Tom brought this boy to the quay wall, John Burke, who was 14 at the time began artificial respiration until a local doctor arrived and they succeeded in reviving the unconscious boy.

Meanwhile, Tom went back into the water to help the third boy who was holding on to the side of the boat.

Tom helped this boy back into the boat which was brought back to the quayside.