A paediatric nurse from Ards Hospital and a friend rescued five children from the sea at Rossglass beach on 13 July 2025.

The children, Catherine, Cecilia, Mary, Maria and Francis Smyth from Ballynoe, entered the water as the tide turned.

Veronica Sloan, Community Children’s Deputy Sister at Ards Hospital, and Sinéad Deane, a Belfast sea swimmer, waded in and reached Francis, Maria and Cecilia first. They sent the children back to their mother.

Sloan called 999 from knee-deep water using her phone in a waterproof bag, prompting a rescue operation.

Deane swam to Mary and Catherine, who were treading water, and brought them to shore with Sloan's assistance. Both provided care to the children until Coastguard and emergency teams arrived.

Sloan and Deane received Honorary Testimonials from the Royal Humane Society. They also got Certificates of Recognition from the Coastguard and the Royal Lifesaving Society.

They were presented a letter from President of Ireland Catherine Connolly.

David Robinson, Executive Director of Nursing at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, stated Sloan's courage and quick thinking, along with Deane's, helped save the children.