Life-savers in Galway honoured at Water Safety Awards 

A woman was saved from drowning in Galway by rescuers who received recognition at Water Safety Ireland’s National Annual Awards Ceremony at The Hibernia Conference Centre.

Darragh Cullivan, Paul Cullivan and Meadbh Murray from Dublin received an award for rescuing a woman from the water in Galway. Darragh and Paul were alerted to a commotion down at the shore of Inis Oirr beach, on Monday, August 7 2023. 

Upon arrival, they observed a woman face down in the water and without hesitation, both entered the water and swam out to the woman. When they reached her, they realised that she was unresponsive and immediately began rescue breaths on her while in the water. 

Both Darragh and Paul managed to bring the woman to the shore and commenced CPR and called out for an AED and an ambulance. They moved the woman up to dry sand and restarted CPR. 

After a period, they noticed a pulse. At that point they continued to support her breathing until a doctor arrived with equipment to help. They remained with her and continued to support and monitor while she slowly regained consciousness. 

Meabh Murray, who was with both Darragh and Paul, organised for the beach to be cleared for the helicopter to land safely. Due to the swift and brave actions of Meabh Murray, Darragh and Paul Cullivan the woman recovered and tragedy was averted. 

At the awards ceremony which was held on Thursday, October 3, Darragh Cullivan and Paul Cullivan received The Seiko Just in Time Award and Meabh Murray received the Rescue Appreciation Award.                                                

“It is an honour to pay tribute to the courageous and deserving award recipients being recognised at Water Safety Ireland’s National Awards Ceremony,” Anne Rabbitte, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said.  “I want to commend the valiant efforts of these individuals who saved others from drowning and to also pay tribute to the ongoing work of Water Safety Ireland volunteers who teach swimming and water rescue skills.

“I know that among the other recipients to receive awards, are 136 volunteers who will be presented with Long-Service Volunteer Awards, recognising a combined total of 2,535 years of personal voluntary service teaching swimming, water rescue and survival skills in communities nationwide. That is a remarkable achievement and I want to commend every volunteer who devotes their spare time to making our waters safer.”

Water Safety Ireland CEO Joanne Walsh stated: “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.”

Nationwide, nineteen lives were saved from drowning by 32 rescuers in 16 incidents.