Our student David Akar became one of the youngest recipients ever to receive a Gold National Bravery Award at a special ceremony in Farmleigh House on Friday, 8th November.

David’s bravery was recognised for the rescue and attempted rescue of two friends from the sea at Passage West in August 2023. He safely rescued one of his friends, and attempted to recover another, after a strong current had pulled them away from their group while swimming. Unfortunately, his friend Jack O’Sullivan lost his life despite David’s best efforts.

Following the ceremony, David gave an interview to “The Echo”. He said “I’m honoured, I’m delighted to be able to say I dedicate this award to Jack O’Sullivan and his family. It’s bittersweet, it’s a good thing to get the award, but it was a very bad situation.”

The Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl presented seven certificates, eleven Bronze Medals and four Silver Medals. The National Bravery Awards have been presented annually by Comhairle na Míre Gaile, the Deeds of Bravery Council since they were established in 1947. The awards are given as recognition by the State for exceptional acts. 

Congratulations to David for showing such courage in truly dreadful circumstances.

David’s Citation on Oireachtas.ie reads:

David Akar
 
The attempted rescue of a young boy from the sea at Passage West, Co. Cork.

On the 24 August 2023 several young friends were swimming at the mooring pontoons at Mariners Quay in Passage West. However, some of the group got caught in a very strong current. One of the young boys, David Akar, attempted to help his friends and managed to push one boy back to the safety of the pontoons before trying to assist another friend who was struggling badly. Despite the strength of the current, David swam back to his other friend and tried to drag, push and pull him back to safety, but as the other young boy grew tired and began to panic, they both went under, and David lost his grip.

Although David had done some lifeguard training, he was just shy of his 14th birthday and was unable to pull his friend against the strong current. Somehow, he managed to get hold of him again and began to pull him towards a small boat, but once again the current took hold and David lost his grip on his friend. David swam to the boat and climbed in, crying out to his other friends to get help. When David couldn’t see his friend in the water, he dived under repeatedly trying to locate him, but tragically he was unable to do so. Despite David’s tireless efforts, the young boy, also aged just 14, lost his life. 

For his actions, David Akar is awarded a Gold Medal and a Certificate of Bravery