Bravery of Mallow brothers honoured
THE courage shown by a pair of Mallow brothers who saved their grandmother when a blaze broke out in their Copstown home, has been recognised with a prestigious national bravery award.
Peter and Rory O’Connor were among 21 people from across the country were presented with National Bravery Awards by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail at the ceremony at Dublin’s Farmleigh House.
The courageous twins were just nine-years-old when a minor fire broke out in their house on October 14, 2016. They leapt into action, immediately ushering their grandmother and sister from the house to safety before contacting their parents.
Last year, the brothers, both members of the 44th Mallow Cub Scout Group, received a Scouting Ireland Honour Award for the courage and quick action they showed on the day.
Established in 1947, the annu- al National Bravery Awards are administered by Comhairle na Mire Gaile (the Deeds of Bravery Council), which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle.
Speaking at the 2018 awards ceremony, Deputy Ó Fearghail praised the O’Connor brothers and all the other recipients saying the occasion was “an opportunity to celebrate the courage or ordinary people who risk their own safety to protect their fellow citizens”.
“In a world often dominated by bad news, it is important to recognise the sacrifices made by good people, whose selflessness can serve to remind us of our duty of care to one another. It is an honour to present awards to 21 deserving recipients and I thank them for their courage,” he said.