A 90-year-old man who died after pushing a woman from the direct path of an oncoming car has posthumously been given a National Bravery Award.
Callaghan 'Cal' O'Keefe was struck by the vehice as he pushed the woman and the retired teacher later died in hospital.
He was among several people who received National Bravery Awards for acts of selflessness and courage.
The recipients from 11 counties across the country were honoured at a ceremony in Leinster House.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy presented 22 accolades, including certificates and medals, to the individuals who "risked their own lives to aid others in peril".
Mr O'Keefe's family received the gold award for his deed, with his son saying there are "certainly mixed emotions".
Martin O'Keefe said: "It's been quite difficult, very difficult for my mum.
"She's done a lot of grieving, but obviously to have that final act being quite heroic ... it's a bittersweet memory."
The honour is significant for the family, he said, describing it as "very important".
"We're very happy to be here today and to accept the award on his behalf," he said.
"We're extremely proud of what he did and today is going to be a very special day for us and all the other recipients of the other awards as well," he added.
Donal Kavanagh from Belfast was presented with accolades for his actions in 1991 when he was 11 years old.
Mr Kavanagh rescued five family members from a burning house in Co Sligo.
"I woke up during the night to noise and the living room was ablaze," he said.
He managed to get his grandparents, granduncle and his little sister out of the property to safety.
Mr Kavanagh said: "Even now after nearly, as you say, 40 years, I still think of what could have been.
"My grandparents, my grand uncle, my little sister and myself ... things could have been so different."
He was given a silver medal and a certificate of bravery for his actions.
The bronze medal at the ceremony was awared to Jonathan Monroe for rescuing a man from the Eglington canal in Co Galway in July 2022.
"I was just walking along the canal near the NUIG campus and I could hear splashing," he said.
Mr Monroe said the man was "in distress", adding "he was bobbing up and down, and it was kind of a blur".
He said: "I took my top off, jumped in the water and pulled him out the other side.
"There was another man to help me pull him out on the other side then as well.
"I didn't really realise what I was doing. It just happened really quickly and before I knew it, it was over."
Among those who were also honoured was 11-year-old Carla Murphy from Co Waterford, who rescued her mother from a serious assault at their home in 2023.
Ms Murphy, this year’s youngest recipient, received a silver medal and a certificate of bravery.
Commenting ahead of the event, the Ceann Comhairle said those who were honoured have "made the world feel a little less dark" and "a little less dangerous".
Their actions, she said, give "hope to us all for the road ahead".
