The hero of the Buncrana tragedy last March Davitt Walsh was given the special accolade of Unsung Hero at the Spirit of Northern Ireland awards ceremony last week.
The 29 year old who bravely risked his own life when to save four-month-old baby girl Rionaghac-Ann after her father’s car drifted off the slipway at Buncrana Pier, accepted the prestigious award for bravery at Ceremony held at Culloden Esate.
The tragic and heartbreaking accident saw 5 people lose their life in the freezing cold water including Rionaghac-Ann’s father Sean McGrotty, 49, his sons Evan and Mark – aged eight and 12, his mother-in-law Ruth Daniels, 59, and his 14-year-old daughter Jodie-Lee.
A brave and emotional Davitt was also given a standing ovation during the ceremony, a humble Davitt told the onlooking audience that he wished he could have done more to help save the family.
Davitt explained: “I don’t feel like I’ve done anything special, I was just in that situation and I did what I could. “I see Rionaghac-Ann in Derry whenever I can and she’s a lovely wee thing. I hope to see her grow up and I’d love to be a part of her life.”