BBC Apprentice contestant Aoibheann Walsh is the sister of a hero who saved a baby girl in a heartbreaking tragedy nine years ago.
Aoibheann was today revealed in the Irish Mirror as one of the 18 hopefuls who can win £250,000 and a contract with celebrity tycoon Lord Alan Sugar on the 19th series of the hit reality show.
Her success comes nearly a decade after her brother Davitt Walsh risked his life by jumping into cold waters at Buncrana Pier in Co Donegal when a family's car plunged underneath in March 2016. Five family members tragically lost their lives, but former League of Ireland footballer Davitt rescued little girl Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty, who was only four months old, from the sinking car.
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Rioghnach-Ann's father, her two brothers, her grandmother, and her aunt all lost their lives in one of the country's worst drowning tragedies. They were dad Sean McGrotty, 49; brothers Mark, 12, and Evan, eight; granny Ruth Daniels, 57; and Ruth's daughter Jodie Lee Daniels, 14.
Davitt was awarded a Gold Medal for Marine Gallantry in October 2016 by then Transport Minister Shane Ross for "bravery at huge peril to his own safety in an effort to save the life of a child". His family praised him at the time, with his and Aoibheann's sister Dearbhla commending her brother for his heroic "bravery and courage".
Businesswoman Aoibheann, who has an award-winning beauty salon in Letterkenny, today revealed her delight at being selected out of 80,000 hopefuls and said "I still can't believe I made it". Her supporters were thrilled, with many backing her to be a success on the show like Jennifer Zamparelli, who was a beauty salon boss in series four in 2007.
Aoibheann announced on Facebook: "I can finally share the toughest kept secret of my life - I'm going on this year's season of The Apprentice. Yes, me, from the hamlet of Kerrykeel, Donegal. I still can't believe I made it to the televised finals of the show out of a whopping 80,000 applicants. This journey has been nothing short of amazing and I'm so grateful for the opportunity and the experience gained."
She added: "I've developed a groundbreaking patented product SashSo, which I know you will absolutely love, with a little help from Lord Sugar's investment. Did he invest? You'll have to wait and see. Launching very soon. Thank you all for your support."
Aoibheann told the BBC of her biggest business success to date and said: "My most significant business achievement to date has been launching my own venture at the age of 24. I hit the ground running and have not looked back. I won Best Business Startup 2015 within just six months. I've since gone on to be awarded Best Wedding Hair and Makeup for four consecutive years. I am proud to be recognised as one of the most sought-after artists in Ireland."
The Apprentice returns for the start of a new series next Thursday, January 30, on BBC One from 9pm.
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