BUNCRANA pier hero Davitt Walsh has been recognised as one of Ireland's 'People of the Year'.
The 30-year-old received the award in recognition of his bravery from former Donegal football manager Jim McGuinness.
His quick actions saved the life of a four-month-old baby when a car slid off a pier in Buncrana in March, killing five members of a Derry family.
The footballer from Kerrykeel, Co Derry was among recipients at the 2016 People of the Year Awards in Dublin on Saturday night, broadcast live on RTÉ.
Mr Walsh had been passing by the scene of the tragedy when he noticed a car sinking in the water.
He immediately jumped into the water and swam out to the car which had drifted nearly 30 metres into Lough Swilly.
On reaching the vehicle, Sean McGrotty (49) managed to pass him baby Rionaghac-Ann and Mr Walsh was able to swim back to shore.
Mr McGrotty died along with her brothers Mark (12) and Evan (8), her grandmother Ruth Daniels (57), and her aunt Jodie-Lee (14).
The family had been enjoying a Sunday evening together when the car slid into the water on green algae on the pier ramp.
“The only time I feared for my safety was on my way back from the car because I thought I wasn’t going to make it back to shore," Mr Walsh recalled.
"I was physically exhausted, I was struggling and I actually feared for the baby’s life more than my own. I really wanted to get her back to shore.”
Since the tragic events, Mr Walsh has developed a strong bond with Rionaghac-Ann and her mother Louise James, from Ballymagroarty in Derry, and visits them regularly.
They joined forces to run the relay race of the Belfast City Marathon in May in memory of Ms James' son Evan, who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Mr Walsh has also been awarded a medal for marine gallantry by the Irish transport minister.
The annual People of the Year Awards ceremony, organised by Rehab, was presented by Gráinne Seoige and Aidan Power.
Robbie Keane, who retired from international football earlier this year, received the International Person of the Year award.
Others to be honoured included Ireland's three Olympic silver medallists, rowing brothers Paul and Gary O'Donavan and sailer Annalise Murphy.
Alan Herdman (24) received a Young Person of the Year award for saving the lives of eight young children who nearly drowned in Rusheen Bay, Co Galway in July.
The same award was given to Milo McCarthy (11) after he raised nearly €18,000 for Syrian refugees by busking on the streets of Cork city and his home town of Midleton.
