Spirit of NI award for Buncrana pier tragedy hero Davitt

The bravery of the Donegal man who risked his own life to help save a baby Derry girl in the Buncrana pier tragedy has been recognised at prestigious awards ceremony..

Davitt Walsh, along with his girlfriend, Stephanie Knox, were honoured at a star-studded Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland awards ceremony to be screened on UTV at 9.00pm this Friday.

Sean McGrotty, his two young sons, Mark and Evan, their grandmother, Ruth Daniels, and her teenager duagher Jodie-Lee - all from Derry - drowned when their Audi Q7 car slipped off Buncrana pier into Lough Swilly on 30 March last.

Davitt swam out in an attempt to help the family, managing to rescue four-month-old Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty whose mother, Louise, hailed him a hero in the aftermath of the incident.

Photo shows David receiving his award from First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Included are his girlfriend, Stephanie Knox, Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and Brian O’Kane, chairperson, Specsavers Northern Ireland.