Triplets Jake, Josh and Jamie Howe started school today a month after little Jake almost drowned in a swimming pool accident on holidays in Ibiza.

It was a landmark day for the four-year-old, and one the boys' parents were happy to see at last.

Just a month ago his life hung in the balance after he fell into a swimming pool. Having spent 12 days in a coma, doctors were not sure if he had suffered brain damage.

But the youngster amazed his medical team with his miraculous recovery.

This morning it was all go at the Howe household as mum Michelle got the boys fed, dressed and ready to go.

"It's a happy day but an anxious one at the same time," Michelle told the Herald as the boys gobbled their breakfasts.

Emotional

"The first day in school is an emotional one anyway, but to be sending three of them off makes it harder, but obviously we are thrilled that Jake can go with his brothers," she added.

"They are really looking forward to it as well, which is a help," Michelle smiled.

So when all the Power Rangers schoolbags were packed and the teeth brushed it was off to Ms Clooney in St Lorcan's in Palmerstown for the triplets.

It has been a rollercoaster few months for Jake and his family since the little boy's accident. As the miracle triplet and his family get their lives back on track, they now plan to meet the man who saved Jake's life.

John Mitchell (43), from Gortnamona, Co Offaly, rushed to Jake's aid after he was pulled from the pool. John gave Jake CPR for 45 minutes as he battled to save his life -- and now he describes the boy's recovery as nothing short of a miracle.

Jake's parents, Michelle Howe and Declan Molloy, are planning for Jake to meet up with John in the coming weeks when he is well enough.

Father-of-one John said he is looking forward to meeting Jake and is planning a second fundraising night for him in his native Mountbolus, in Co Offaly.

John travelled to Ibiza with his daughter Savannah (10), his sister Jacqueline, her husband Aidan, their son Keith and his girlfriend Bronagh.

"We actually travelled over on the same plane as the triplets, and their parents Michelle and Declan. We actually remarked about them when we got on the bus," John told the Herald.

The Howe family flew to Ibiza for an eight-day holiday in a popular family resort on Friday, August 22.

The next day, a nightmare for the family would begin when Jake almost drowned.

"My daughter was in the pool and we saw the boy's father Declan looking frantically and calling out for Jake, so we were keeping our eyes peeled.

"A few minutes passed by, and then, when I looked down towards the end of the pool, I saw that Jake was out of the pool lying on his back. The lifeguard was there looking at him -- and that's when I took off."

John ran towards Jake and immediately began CPR, which he learned from his days in the Army.

"So I started the CPR, and kept air going into him. We managed to empty the water from his lungs, and I must have been there with him for three quarters of an hour.

Ambulance

"There was only small movement from him -- he was in a spot of bother. The ambulance came and he was put onto a machine, given injections before being put on a stretcher and rushed to hospital."

He added: "We've been watching the papers and it's been all about Jake. It's fantastic seeing him -- I feared it wouldn't happened but I'm thrilled that he's back with his family.

"I don't know how he pulled through - he is a miracle. It's nothing but a miracle that he's fully recovered," he added.

- Conor Feehan