29/09/2025
Remarkable teen’s bravery saves child from drowning
written by Rachel McLaughlin Donegal Daily
A 15-year-old Gortahork teen has been hailed as an “angel on earth” after saving a boy from a near-drowning incident.
Declan Meehan was in the right place at the right time when 12-year-old Peadar Harley got into difficulty while swimming at Bunaninver in August.
Peadar had found himself out of his depth and began to panic, going under the water.
Declan immediately went to help, using a calming attitude and lifesaving skills to bring Peadar safely back to shore.
That sunny day on 17th August could have ended in a much different outcome had Declan not been there, says his mother, Frances and Peadar’s mother, Patricia.
Declan, a student of Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, has been through the mill himself, having survived a stroke 10 years ago, but he used all his might to save Peadar.
At the age of five, Declan suffered a bleed in the brain which left him with no power in his left arm and half the power in his leg. Medics told his family that he might never walk or talk again, but Declan continues to make progress after all these years and refuses to let anything stop him.
In recent years, he’s been learning swimming and lifesaving skills with instructor Esther Jean O’Kane in Downings, but never thought he’d have to use them.
“It was amazing how he looked after Peadar and did not panic,” said Peadar’s mother Patricia, who watched the rescue from the pier.
The children were all enjoying an afternoon of swimming and pier jumping in the days before going back to school.
Declan was in the water with his cousins when three other boys went into the water to swim across to the beach.
“They would all be confident swimmers, but my son, Peadar, panicked and went under,” said Patricia.
Declan was swimming a short distance ahead when he heard Peadar call to him.
Frances, who was also supervising from the pier, heard Declan immediately give reassurance to the boy.
She recalled: “Declan swam back to him and said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll help you. You hang on to me and I’ll bring you back to the pier.’
“But it was just unbelievable. Declan managed to keep calm, talked him through it, and kept a hold of him until they got back to the pier.”
The boys were greeted with hugs from an emotional Patricia.
Declan took one more admirable step by sitting down with Peadar, explaining to him what to do if he ever gets in that situation again and making sure he got back into the water so he wouldn’t be afraid of it.
“You knew you were in the presence of a very special person,” said Patricia.
“I have shivers thinking back on it.”
Frances adds: “As a parent, it was a very scary moment because you are terrified they would both go under, but Declan ran through it so well.
“We thought it was just amazing that he did it, because it shows you that no matter what, if you have a disability or not, you’re capable of everything that everybody else can do.”
Declan Meehan at Bunaninver pier, overlooking the stretch of water where the rescue took place
Declan’s resilience is a force to be reckoned with. From the age of six, he has been training regularly with Stephen Ferry from SF Fitness in Dunfanaghy and he inspires everyone in the local fitness community.
It’s people like Stephen and Esther who have helped Declan adapt to his abilities and find ways to stay strong and fit. Stephen and Declan are planning a SkiErg marathon in November to raise funds for Donegal Cancer Flights, a charity that Declan has benefited from many times. Declan is also planning to begin lifeguard training and to compete in swimming with the North West Special Olympics Club.
Looking back on the rescue, Declan thought nothing of it!
“I was just trying to save him, anybody would have done the same thing,” Declan tells Donegal Daily.
The mothers think otherwise, and the text that Patricia sent to Frances the following day encapsulates her gratitude for Declan.
Patricia wrote: “My heart is so full at how your angel boy has persevered in this world through all his hardships to where he is right now. He’s an unbelievable role model and an inspiration and even standing beside him you know you are beside a very special wee man.”
“It was a learning day for all of us,” Frances said. “You have to respect the water, no matter how strong a swimmer you are. Declan’s story is a good story, thank God.”
