Local Heroes: Young Mullingar man receives award for saving a baby's life

That’s what Tyrone Donoghue did when he saw a seven-month-old baby had fallen into the Royal Canal in Mullingar, and it was his quick thinking that likely saved the child’s life.

According to the Westmeath Examiner, he says that he heard the baby screaming and noticed the buggy in the water. Even though he confessed to not being a strong swimmer, he stepped into the canal and managed to keep the baby above water and get her back to her mother.

Not only that, but thanks to the fact he lived close by he was able to quickly get the baby some dry clothes from his own daughter’s wardrobe. He’s still modest about his life-saving endeavours, and says he is just thankful to have been in the right place at the right time when it happened in March of this year.

Tyrone was honoured at the annual National Garda Youth Awards, which serve as a way to thank people like him. While most of us would like to think we would know what the right thing to do in those situations would be, having the presence of mind to act quickly and calmly is what makes his efforts so commendable.

The awards focus on young people aged 13-21 who represent the very best on these shores. There were 24 awards handed out, including Freya Maher who successfully administered CPR to her horse riding instructor after noticing she couldn't detect a pulse.

It just goes to show how big a difference young people can make, especially when they act in the manner of which Tyrone and Freya did.