A MAN who rescued a woman from water following a car collision which claimed the lives of her husband and two children has been awarded for his bravery.
Kevin Barr, a Greencastle Coastguard Unit member, was awarded a gold medal by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD on Friday.
On Thursday, August 20, 2020 Storm Ellen brought high winds and heavy rainfall across the country.
At 10pm that evening, Geraldine Mullan, her husband, John (49) and their two children Tomás (14) and six-year-old Amelia were travelling back from a night out in Derry when their car skidded off the road and fell into water at Quigley’s Point.
Mr Barr, who lives locally, was quickly on the scene.
Geraldine was observed on the bottom of the car as vehicle had turned over and landed on the roof.
The waves were washing over her and she was in danger of being washed off the vehicle.
Without any hesitation, Mr Barr made his way down to the vehicle and held onto her until the other emergency services arrived and helped her get to safety.
Tragically, the bodies of her husband and two children were later recovered.
Geraldine, a nurse at Letterkenny University Hospital, later paid a thanks to all those who had assisted on the night, but paid particular tribute to Mr Barr for his intervention.
Today Geraldine talks about her own trauma and how trying to face the fears of the water has brought her closer to her family.
Mr Barr’s award was one of 15 National Bravery Awards to Individuals from Donegal, Mayo and Monaghan who risked their own lives to aid others in peril.
The ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together to receive ten Bronze Medals, another five recipients received Silver Medals and one received Gold for Bravery.
The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 75 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional Acts of Bravery.
The Council is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City and County Councils, and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.
Speaking at the event, the Ceann Comhairle said: “Today, we present awards, to brave recipients from every corner of the country. Letters of commendation have also issued to nine people for deeds and actions which saved lives and protected others from harm.
“Through the 75 years of the Bravery awards we have heard of hundreds of lives that have been saved. We cannot know what lives were lived or what generations have grown as a result of these deeds, but we do know that every deed made a difference. Every act of bravery matters to the people who were saved and sometimes, even more so, to those who are left behind after an unsuccessful rescue attempt. On behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank the brave recipients for their actions, for their selflessness, for their courage and for showing us that we can all make a difference on this island we share and in this world we walk together.”
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