Mayor of Waterford City Cllr. Mary O Halloran will present the 2006 and 2007 Ireland Medals on Saturday 21st June to retired Garda Commissioner Eamonn Doherty and Foyle Search and Rescue respectively.

The 2006 Ireland Medal was awarded to Eamonn Doherty for his work as Royal Life Saving Society Ireland Region chairperson and for The Doherty Report on air sea rescue, the 2007 Ireland Medal was awarded to Foyle Search and Rescue for the saving of over 1000 lives from drowning in the River Foyle as it flows through Derry, Northern Ireland.

The medal presentation ceremony will take place in Waterford City Central Library, starting at 10.30am on Saturday 21st June, and is open to members of the public.

The Ireland Medal was initiated by The Irish Lifesaving Foundation and RLSS Ireland in 2003 and is awarded to an Irish citizen, organisation or person of Irish descent for an outstanding contribution to the saving of life from drowning.

The inaugural medal was presented to An Garda Síochána for the many swimming rescues performed by serving gardaí, the 2004 medal to Corkman Admiral Frank Golden for his work on hypothermia and cold water immersion, and the 2005 medal to Australian doctor Professor John Pearn for his work on the prevention and treatment of child drownings.

Irish Lifesaving Foundation Honorary CEO John Connolly commented " The Doherty Report was a major step on the road to our having a rescue helicopter based at Waterford Airport and Foyle Search and Rescue are a unique river rescue service in that they lifeguard the River Foyle at times of great danger. Both are worthy recipients of the prestigious Ireland Medal and we are looking forward to welcoming them to Waterford."

*Pictured are Irish Lifesaving Foundation Hon. CEO John Connolly with Professor John Pearn (2005) and Admiral Frank Golden (2004) recipients of The Ireland Medal.