There were several Kerry recipients at the recent Water Safety Ireland National Awards Ceremony.
Among other awardees, 26 rescuers, included Jonathan Heffernan and William Murphy from Kerry, were honoured for saving 29 lives.
On the 21 September 2024, Jonathan Heffernan was in his apartment at the Marina in Tralee when he noticed a young child in the water.
He rushed outside, jumped into the water, swam to the child, and successfully brought the child to safety.
While, on the morning of 7th October 2021, William Murphy rescued a woman who was swept out to sea by a strong current while taking her daily swim at Brandon Pier.
William, who was working nearby, used a surfboard and ropes to successfully bring her to safety.
Mick Tuffrey, Brendan Spillane, David O'Connor and Katherine Fitzgerald also assisted.
Meanwhile, 13 volunteers from Derrynane Inshore Rescue Community Rescue Boat Ireland received the Silver Bar for 30 years of service.
Between them, these 13 Derrynane CRBI members have given over 390 years of service to the community:
- David Boland
- Jerry Clifford
- Patrick Carroll
- Robert Carroll
- Caroline Donnelly
- Michael Donnelly
- Michael Fenton
- David Hare
- Desmond O’Shea,
- John O’Shea
- Brian O’Sullivan
- Helen Wilson
