A statue of Michael Heffernan, a volunteer diver who died after rescuing a family from a sea cave in 1997, will be unveiled in Co Mayo next Saturday.
The broadcaster and Irish Times journalist Kevin Myers will unveil the statue at Lacken Pier, Co Mayo. Mr Heffernan, who was 40, lost his life while saving a family whose boat capsized at Belderrig on October 25th, 1997.
He was a member of the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club in Ballina and was the first voluntary rescue diver to die in a rescue operation.
The unveiling will be attended by his widow, Anna Marie, and family, members of the rescue services, including helicopter pilots and lifeboat representatives who were involved in the rescue, and members of the Garda Water Unit, who received the Scott medal for bravery.
Since his death, Mr Heffernan's action has been recognised by the award of the Carnegie Hero Trust Medallion, by a bravery award from the RNLI and by the Dr John Igoe Community Award. On February 26th, 1999, his wife accepted the Michael Heffernan Memorial Gold Medal, which was presented by the Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods.
This award was instituted by the Department of the Marine to be awarded to persons who displayed exceptional valour while taking part in an Irish coastguard co-ordinated mission.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club members set up the Michael Heffernan Memorial Trust Fund, and according to a spokesman it is with great pride that they will unveil the statue on Saturday. .
He recalled that the coroner, Dr Michael Loftus, had said at the inquest: "Our hope, and indeed our prayer, is that as the intensity of the wound begins to recede by the passing of God's healing time, the real meaning and magnitude of Michael's bravery will remain as a consoling light in their lives. In Christian terms it is the zenith of practical love to give one's life for another.
"This is what Michael Heffernan did. His heroism will, for many years to come, evoke in all of us an appreciative and prayerful silence.
"The time may well come when his practical heroism will be marked and honoured nationally and locally in some notable, tangible way."