A TEENAGER WHO saved the lives of his mother and two younger siblings with a four-hour swim after the family was swept out to sea off the Australian coast today received a round of applause in the Dáil.

He and his family were special guests in the Dáil gallery this afternoon and Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy broke with the normal rules to welcome them.

“I hope you’ll assist when I break with the normal rules of not welcoming anyone during Leaders’ Questions, but today we have a very special welcome in giving a big warm Cead Míle Fáilte to an incredible young man”.

Murphy said Austin had been “incredibly brave” and that it was an “incredible feat”.

In January, Austin Appelbee swam 4km to shore to raise the alarm after he got into difficulties off the coast of Quindalup, Western Australia with his mother Joanne Appelbee, and his younger sister and brother.

His mother Joanne is originally from Co Monaghan but living in Perth in Australia.

Austin Appelbee with his family, including mother Joanne who is from Co Monaghan

Austin said he initially set off for help on an inflatable kayak that was taking in water. He abandoned the kayak, then took off his life jacket because it impeded his swimming.

He said he tried to focus on positive thoughts as he swam for around four hours through rough seas for shore, raising the alarm at 6pm.

A search helicopter found the mother and two children wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard at 8.30pm.

They had drifted 14km from Quindalup in Western Australia state, after spending up to 10 hours in the water.

“The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough — his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings,” Police Inspector James Bradley said.

The Western Australia Police Force later released the emergency call made by Austin, who they hailed Austin as a “little legend”.

Police described the call as “cool, calm and collected” and as a “textbook example of exactly what you should do in an emergency”.

Austin also met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Government Buildings and Martin said it was an “honour” to welcome him.

An honour to welcome Austin Appelbee to Government Buildings today.

He is a remarkable young man who showed extraordinary courage when his family needed it most.

Austin's story is a vital reminder of water safety, and his bravery is an inspiration to us all. pic.twitter.com/nK1PxpUHkP

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 19, 2026

“He is a remarkable young man who showed extraordinary courage when his family needed it most,” said Martin.

“Austin’s story is a vital reminder of water safety, and his bravery is an inspiration to us all.”

During Leaders’ Questions, Mary Lou McDonald and Ivana Bacik praised and welcomed Austin and his family, with Bacik saying that Austin “inspired us all with your immense courage”.

Meanwhile, McDonald quipped that her Sinn Féin colleague Matt Carthy informed her that Austin is a “Monaghan man” and that the Ceann Comhairle had “missed the most important element of the story”.