21 awards for heroes of Mallow Search and Rescue

Cork volunteers and heroic rescuers were recently honoured at the Water Safety Ireland National awards ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Among those that received awards were members of Mallow Search and Rescue, a very active Cork-based search and recovery organisation.

A total of 136 volunteers were presented with Long Service awards at the ceremony, 21 of whom were members of Mallow Search and Rescue. They received long service community awards in recognition of their voluntary commitment to promoting a public awareness of water safety. 

Their awards ranged from ten to 40 years of working in the community.

Even though the group is based in Mallow, most of the searches they carry out are on the River Lee in Cork city.

As a result of the hi-tech equipment they use, such as side scan sonars and remote operating vehicles (ROVs), they have been requested to help with search and recovery all over the country, even as far as Derry, Strabane, and Belfast.

They were also involved in the search for Rescue 116 in 2017 , off the Mayo Coast, when a Sikorsky helicopter was lost at sea.

Provisional figures indicate that 78 people died from drowning last year. According to statistics revealed by Water Safety Ireland, 588 drownings occurred between 2017 and 2021. A quarter of these were swimmers who got into difficulty.

During that period of time, 57% (338) of the drownings were accidental, 38% (222) were by suicide and 5% (28) were unclassified.

No matter what the cause of drowning is, Mallow Search and Rescue are called by gardaí to help with the search and recovery of the missing person.

The group of volunteers are constantly on call. John Woulfe, one of the group’s founding members said: “The winter and particularly Christmas is our busiest time of the year.”

The group stays searching until the missing person is found. This can be anything from a few hours to months.

Asked what their longest search was, John said this search was still ongoing.

“John Keaveney, a 43-year-old man, went missing in August, 2023. We did intensive searches of the river and all the areas where he was reported to be seen on the night he disappeared. We have scaled back our search, however if any new information comes forward, we will continue the search for Mr Keaveney and we hope at some stage to bring him home to his family.”

As well as this dedicated group of volunteers, many others were also honoured at the Water Safety Ireland awards ceremony.

These included the Seiko Just in Time Awards (JIT) and Rescue Appreciation Awards (RA). Four of these went to Cork recipients - Michael Walsh ( JIT) and Amy Walsh (RA) - who successfully rescued a woman who was pushed by a turbulent tide and trapped in a blow hole at Dunworley beach in February, 2021.

Carlos Amaya (JIT) and Aaron O’Callaghan (JIT) rescued a father and two children from the sea at Garrettstown beach on March 18, 2024. Carlos had just finished giving a surf lesson when he heard someone shouting in distress. A woman who was standing on the rocks in the water was raising the alarm as three of her family members were being pulled further out to sea by a rip current.

Carlos grabbed his surf board and rescued the two children. Aaron, another surfer in the area, rescued their now exhausted dad. With the aid of the surfers, the family made a full recovery.

Another award was given to gardaí Michelle Conway (JIT) and Daniel O’Callaghan (JIT). On January 1, 2024, gardaí observed a vehicle entering the sea at Gobby beach, Ringaskiddy. Despite the poor weather conditions, they assessed the situation, called the emergency services, and waded into the water. They broke the driver’s window and helped them safely to shore.

The last Cork recipients of these awards included Gardaí JP Twomey, Alison O’Flynn and Richard Casey for their involvement in a rescue on January 1, 2024, near Brian Boru Bridge on the River Lee.

Upon seeing a woman in distress in the water, Garda Casey grabbed a ring buoy and threw it in the direction of the distressed woman. Garda Twomey descended steps near the river and managed to get another ringbuoy to the woman.

Both gardaí controlled the ring buoys while Garda Twomey reassured the person until the fire brigade arrived at the scene.

The woman made a full recovery with the help of her rescuers.

Added to these heroic awards was a Sports Person of the Year award. Aisling Barry, of Co. Cork, received one for her national achievements and international achievements in the world lifesaving championships.

A member of Mallow Search and Rescue said that remembering the phrase ‘reach, throw, wade and row’ may help people rescue others from the water.

Reach for something like a ring buoy, rope etc, throw it to the person who needs help, wade or row out to help them. Avoid swimming to help them as this may put the rescuer at risk.

Water Safety is a key pillar in promotion and education in Ireland and with its help, drownings have decreased in recent decades.