The Appelbee family will receive a civic reception when they return home to Co. Monaghan from Australia.
Joanne Appelbee, from Magheracloone, and her family made international headlines after swept out to sea last week.
The family were saved by Joanne’s son, Austin, after he swam four kilometres to the shore to get help.
The Cathaoirelach of Monaghan County Council, PJ O’Hanlon began this week’s meeting of Monaghan County Council by mentioning the Appelbee family.
He proposed that the council write to the family, and hold a civic reception for them when they return home.
This week, with permission from Joanne Appelbee, officials in Australia released footage of Austin Appelbee’s phone-call to the emergency services.
Joanne Appelbee told The Joe Finnegan Show last week that letting Austin go was the hardest decision she has ever had to make.
She explained that she couldn’t leave the kids at sea, and she trusted that Austin “had become a man”, and that he was their best chance to get to safety.
