Rescue 115 Crew Member Jim O’Neill Named 2026 Recipient Of Billy Deacon Award

One of the highest honours in search and rescue has been awarded to a member of the Rescue 115 crew based at Shannon Airport. Winch paramedic Jim O'Neill has been named the 2026 recipient of the Billy Deacon Award, recognising his exceptional bravery during the rescue of all 14 crew members from a fishing vessel that ran aground in treacherous conditions at the entrance to Dingle Harbour last December. Jim was presented with the award at a ceremony in the Houses of Parliament in London, and he joined Alan Morrissey to talk about that dramatic rescue and what the recognition means to him. Photo (c) Clare FM