A heroic Ards nurse is honoured following the courageous sea rescue of five children
Paediatric Nurse Veronica Sloan, works for the South Eastern Trust, has been recognised for her outstanding bravery after helping to save the lives of a family of five children last summer.
The extraordinary sea rescue took place on the 13th July 2025 at Rossglass beach.
Although the tide was initially out, it began to turn as the children Catherine, Cecilia, Mary, Maria and their brother Francis Smyth from Ballynoe went for a swim.
Ards Hospital’s Community Children’s Deputy Sister Veronica, together with friend and fellow Belfast sea swimmer Sinéad Deane, acted immediately. Wading into the water, they first reached Francis, Maria, and Cecilia, sending them safely back to their mother.
Veronica, carrying her phone in a waterproof bag, called 999 from knee-deep in the sea, triggering a rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Sinéad swam out to Mary and Catherine, who were treading water, and got the children back to shore with Veronica.
Both ladies helped keep them safe and provide essential care until Coastguard and emergency service teams arrived.
Both Veronica and Sinéad were recently awarded Honorary Testimonials from the Royal Humane Society for their courageous actions and also received Certificates of Recognition from the Coastguard and the Royal Lifesaving Society.
A special letter from President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, was also gifted to the pair.
Veronica shared how her and Sinéad’s experience was very much a case of, being in the “right place at the right time.”
Veronica said: “The whole experience has been very traumatic for all involved.
“It was a case of sliding doors, right place, right time. Myself and Sinéad’s Nursing skills played a big part that night in keeping the children safe until help arrived.
“I feel very proud to have been presented an extremely special certificate by my mother Mary, herself a Nurse of 48 years.
“I feel very overwhelmed and honoured to have been presented with these acknowledgements especially from the Chief of the Coastguard of Scotland and Northern Ireland and the President of Ireland.”
Executive Director of Nursing David Robinson said, “I’m so proud of Veronica. There is no doubt that her courage and quick thinking – and that of her friend Sinéad too – helped save the lives of five children.
“They both deserve to be honoured for their incredible bravery last year.”
