A 22-year-old hero who rescued a number of people who got into difficulty in the sea in Kerry yesterday has strong Longford connections.
Mícheál Keogh lives in Enfield in Co Meath, but his parents Mícheal Senior and his mother Jacinta are natives of Killoe and Drumlish.
Mícheál Keogh was swimming in the sea yesterday near Slea Head in west Kerry when he noticed a ten-year-old boy who had gotten into difficulty in the sea.
A number of the boys' relatives had tried to help but they were overcome by the current and strong waves.
The 22-year-old managed to bring the young boy and three other men to safety on a rock while a human chain was organised on the beach.
Mícheal Keogh said he was out of his depth because the waves were still breaking but he managed to lift the boy from the rock and bring him to safety.
He then grabbed the others one by one under the arm and swam back to shore with them.
Speaking to Shannonside News this evening, Mícheáls uncle Danny Keogh said family here in Longford were shocked to hear of the events, but were also proud and relieved that everything worked out well:
