DON'T LET MY HERO SON SIMON DIE IN VAIN; Drown victim dad's safety plea.

Byline: SARAH BARDON

THE devastated dad of tragic hero Simon Delaney last night urged people to take care around water.

Simon, 21, drowned with Matthew Gibbons as they helped rescue two others who were struggling in a lake in Co Cavan, in August.

Heartbroken dad Joe said he hoped some good could come out of their deaths. He added: "If this brings some little thing, then they didn't die in vain.

"They were two young men doing some good and hopefully there will be good done after them if the authorities and everybody just think safely.

"I would just urge people when they go out, regardless of what or where, that they do things safely - particularly around water." Matthew, 20, was with a group of friends visiting the area when the tragedy struck.

He had been out on a boat but returned to shore to prepare a barbecue when he saw three of his pals tumble into the lake.

He waded into the lough but got into difficulty due to the muddy bed and deep holes, making it more than 200ft deep in places. Simon, a former goalkeeper for Cavan's under-21 county team, was driving past when he saw the young man struggling in the water.

He jumped in and managed to get to Matthew but both disappeared under the water as they got closer to the shore.

Simon had been driving to a match for Killinkere GAA with team-mate Anthony Brady, 27, when the chaos unfolded. Mr Brady told the court Simon swam out to save somebody in trouble but had to let go.

Simon was pulled from the lake unconscious 40 minutes later and taken to Cavan General Hospital where he lost his fight for life The jury returned a verdict of accidental deaths in both cases and the jury recommended not wearing life jackets become a criminal offence.

Coroner Dr Mary Flanagan said it was a terrible tragedy they died trying to save others.

CAPTION(S):

TRAGIC Simon Delaney died in lake in Co Cavan