A young Leitrim teenager who risked his own life to save that of his friend off the south Donegal coastline is to be nominated for a lifesaving award.
Patrick McAweeney (15) of Garadice on the Leitrim-Cavan border received minor injuries during the ordeal off Glencolumbcille, Co Donegal, just a week ago.
The teenager, who is the eldest of four boys and a pupil at St Mogue's College in Bawnboy, was on holiday with his friend Eugene Blaney (17) when the accident occurred.
The pair were using a body board and were caught by a strong undercurrent and tides which swept them both out to sea.
"A large wave threw us on to rocks and then Eugene was swept back down into a whirlpool," Patrick told The Irish Times. "I went down after him, pulled him up and then it happened again."
When the 17-year-old was hauled out by his friend, he had stopped breathing. Patrick had received preliminary lifesaving training and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
"I had to move him as it wasn't safe, so I lifted him further up the rocks till I found a cave where I could lie him, and I then went for help."
Patrick clambered up the cliff and alerted his friend's mother, who called the rescue services. Locals and rescue volunteers assisted in reaching Eugene, but not before Patrick had returned to the cave.
Lieut Cdr John Leech of Irish Water Safety said Patrick would be a "certainty" for the Seiko Just in Time Award, conferred each autumn by the organisation.
