'It wouldn't matter if I didn't get the award.. I still have my little brother Lee' - AMY O'DONOGHUE; BRAVE WATER HEROES HONOURED.

Byline: BY SARAH BARDON

BRAVE Amy O'Donoghue was honoured yesterday for her incredible courage in saving the life of her baby brother.

But she insisted she didn't care about the prize and is just happy her brother Lee is fine.

Amy, 10, from Dublin, jumped to her four-year-old brother's rescue after he sank to the bottom of the pool at their villa in the Canaries in April.

Amy was honoured yesterday at the Irish Safety Awards in Dublin Castle. She said: "It didn't matter if I got the award, I'm glad I have my brother."

Rugby star Paul O'Connell was recognised for his courage which helped save the life of a woman.

The Munster and Ireland lock was surfing in Lahinch, Co Clare, when he noticed a fellow surfer in difficulty and rushed to her rescue. O'Connell battled crashing waves to bring her to safety.

Roger Sweeney of IWS said: "Tragically 156 drownings took place in Ireland last year.

"That would be much higher but for these individuals."

Here are the other 14 who received awards yesterday:

EUGENE MOHAN, LOUTH

In August last year, Eugene saw a man lying face down in pool in Portugal. He dived in and pulled the man to the side.

Eugene cleared his airways and the victim made a full recovery.

RICARDO RAGAZZO, DONEGAL

In May Sardinian Ricardo dived into the River Eske in Co Donegal and rescued a man who had fallen in.

VALERIE LYNCH, CORK

Valerie saved the day in November 2006 when a student was choking on a sweet. She used skills she learned at the IrishWater Safety's Rescue Lifesaving classes to clear the potentially lethal obstruction.

JOHN O'CONNOR & JOSEPH BRESLIN DONEGAL

John was on a waterbus tour in Donegal Bay in May when he saw a man fall into the water. He jumped in and brought him back back on board.

Joseph realised the victim was suffering from hypothermia so he gave him first aid until paramedics took him to Letterkenny General Hospital.

EMMET WILMOT, CORK

In May, Matthew Sambrooke, 13, fell between a ship and the quay wall at Cobh harbour.

Petty Officer Emmet Wilmot heard the boy's mother scream for help and responded with a buoy.

As Matthew couldn't secure himself, Emmet lowered himself into the sea and rescued the child.

KARL DEMPSEY, CORK

Karl was onboard a boat trip from Kinsale to Baltimore when it capsized in September 2006.

But Karl swam to intercept the circling boat and climbed onboard to rescue his colleagues.

GARDA PAUL O'FLYNN & GARDA JENNIFER GRANT, WATERFORD

In September 2006, the two officers received a call that a lady was in the river which was at full tide.

They entered the water and completed a "wading necklace" rescue to pull her to safety.

GARDA NIALL DOODY & GARDA EDEL CONVEY, CLARE

In April 2008, Garda Niall Doody and Garda Edel Convey saw a woman in difficulty in the River Fergus, Ennis.

Garda Doody entered the water while his colleague got a buoy. Niall then used it to keep the woman afloat and stayed with her in the water until help arrived.

SGT PAT MURPHY, CORK

Pat was on motorcycle duty when he responded to a report of teens in trouble on the River Lee, Cork in June. He rescued a girl from the bank and she made a full recovery.

BRIAN DOYLE, LEITRIM

In June 2001, Brian was summoned by to the Tully Lake, Co Leitrim, where a car had driven into the lake.

Brian entered the water with a rope tied around his waist. He swam to the casualty and brought him back to the shore.

DAVID SWIFT, KILKENNY

In September, David saw a woman in distress at the River Nore, St John's Bridge, Co Kilkenny, in September. He used a buoy to bring her to the the safety of the bank.

CAPTION(S):

MAKING A BIG SPLASH Amy O'Donoghue with brother Lee whom she saved & their mum June in Dublin yesterday; ACTION Hero Paul O'Connell