National Bravery Award for retired Cork teacher who died saving a life

A 90-year-old retired teacher who gave his life pushing someone else from the direct path of an oncoming car is one of three Cork people to be honoured at the National Bravery Awards in Leinster House today.

On the morning of Friday, October 18, 2024, in a Fermoy supermarket carpark, Callaghan O’Keeffe, a retired teacher and farmer who was known to all as Cal, managed to push a woman out of the direct line of an oncoming car, which was reversing at speed.

Taking the brunt of the impact, Mr O’Keeffe was fatally injured and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman, aged in her 60s, was seriously injured and needed to be airlifted to hospital.

The driver, who was in his 90s, was treated at the scene.

For giving his life to save another, Mr O’Keeffe, who is survived by his wife Mary and four children, will be posthumously awarded a gold medal and a memorial certificate of bravery by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy today.

Two other Cork people will be among the 22 people from across Ireland honoured at the awards ceremony for risking their own lives to aid others.

On September 3, 2024, 18-year-old Naoise Quinn was walking with a friend, Ailíse O’Sullivan, near the Beacon cliffs in Baltimore, when they met a distressed man standing at a cliff edge.

They stayed with the man, keeping him safe and calm until gardaí arrived.

For his actions, Mr Quinn will be awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery.

On Monday, January 20, 2025, 70-year-old Micheal Collins waded into freezing water at Rooves Bridge in Coachford to save a woman from the river.

Mr Collins later told gardaí it was the second time he had been compelled to enter the river to bring someone ashore.

For his actions, Mr Collins will be awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery.

This year’s ceremony will include the awarding of two certificates, 15 bronze medals, and four silver medals, with the gold award being presented posthumously to Mr O’Keeffe’s family.

Carla Murphy, aged 11, will be this year’s youngest recipient, receiving a silver medal for rescuing her mother from a serious assault.

The awards ceremony will be presented by retired RTÉ presenter Joe Duffy.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Ms Murphy said that not everyone would find themselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, but everyone could make a difference by supporting others.

“It is also a significant day for all those who will see, or hear, or read about these brave deeds and feel better to know there are still good things being done, by good people,” Ms Murphy said.

“To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland, let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness, and for your courage.

“What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous, and gives hope to us all for the road ahead.”