'Boxer' Moran meets hero teenager who swam 4km to help save his family in Australia

Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said he was "honoured" to meet a heroic teenager who swam for four kilometres to help save his mother and two younger siblings after they got into difficulty at sea.

'Boxer' is currently in Australia to represent the Irish Government at a number of St Patrick's Day meetings and events.

In Perth yesterday (Thursday), he had the opportunity to meet with Austin Appelbee (14) whose mother Joanne is from Carrrickmacross.

He delivered a letter to the boy from President Catherine Connolly who praised his inspirational actions earlier this year.

"I would like to commend you on the immense bravery that you demonstrated by swimming for several hours across rough ocean waters to save your family," President Connolly wrote.

Austin Appelbee's bravery made international headlines in early February. His family had been kayaking and paddle-boarding when he swam 4km to raise the alarm after his mother Joanne and two younger siblings were swept out to sea.

The boy's mother told RTÉ News last month that it was "one of the hardest decisions" she ever had to make to ask him to swim towards the shore in order to alert rescuers of their ordeal.

"It was nothing short of a miracle that we made it," she said.

In a social media post, 'Boxer' Moran said he was delighted to meet Austin and his family this week.

"I was honoured and privileged to meet Austin Appelbee... who swam for hours to get help for his family after they were swept out to sea," stated 'Boxer'.

"I met with Austin and his mother, Joanne, brother Beau and sister Grace," said 'Boxer', who added that it was "an amazing story and a young hero to be extremely proud of".

His meeting with the family to deliver the letter from President Connolly made headlines in Australia, with ABC News among the outlets covering the encounter.

The Athlone politician's visit to Australia continues until March 19 and his itinerary includes meetings and St Patrick's Day gatherings in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.