BRAVE GARDAÍ HONOURED
BRAVE GARDAÍ AND A CIVILIAN ARE HONOURED FOR SAVING LIVES IN SLIGO
Five Sligo based Gardaí and a civilian have been honoured with bravery awards.
Four of the Gardaí were hailed for rescuing a man whose house had gone on fire in Drumcliffe while the other Garda and a civilian were honured for rescuing a man who fell into the Garavogue River.
The Sligo group were amongst 21 individuals who were presented with National Gravery Awards by the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl last Friday at Friday’s ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Mire Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional acts of courage. Certificates of Bravery were awarded to Sligo Gardaí, Sergeant Thomas O’Griofa; Garda David Hannon; Garda Patrick Gallagher; Sgt. Gerard Mullaney; Garda Stephen Fahy and Adam McGoldrick.
At approximately 8:36 p.m. on 1st June, 2017, a report of a fire emanating from a house in Drumcliffe was received by Gardaí.
On arrival at the scene Garda (since promoted to Sergeant) Thomas O’Griofa and Garda David Hannon entered the house and began to search through the smoke filled building. A man was located in the bedroom.
Garda Patrick Gallagher and Sergeant Gerard Mullaney also arrived at the scene. Garda Gallagher entered the house and assisted Garda O’Griofa in removing the man to safety.
He was confused and very groggy and unable to confirm whether or not there was anybody else in the house. Neighbours indicated that his mother may have been in the house.
Garda Gallagher and Sergeant Mullaney re-entered the house and carried out a full search which was difficult with the heavy smoke.
Fortunately, the search revealed that there was no other persons present in the house. An ambulance arrived at the scene and the man was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.
A second ambulance arrived at the scene and Gardaí O’Griofa and Hannon were also treated for smoke inhalation.
For their actions Garda Thomas O’Griofa, Garda David Hannon, Garda Patrick Gallagher and Sergeant Gerard Mullaney were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.
On 6 th August, 2017 at 15:50 pm, whilst viewing CCTV footage in the Radio Communications Room at Sligo Garda Station, Gardaí observed a man standing up on Hyde Bridge over the Garavogue River and then jumping in.
Gardai attended the scene within minutes. Garda Stephen Fahy and a member of the public, Adam McGoldrick, entered the river and retrieved the man.
Emergency Services personnel attended the scene. The man was non-compliant throughout and resisted any efforts at rescue. He was subsequently taken to Sligo General Hospital.
For their actions Garda Stephen Fahy and Adam McGoldrick were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.
The Deeds of Bravery Council is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City & County Councils, and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.
“The presentation of the National Bravery Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the courage of ordinary people who risk their own safety to protect their fellow citizens,” the Ceann Comhairle said.
“In a world often dominated by bad news, it is important to recognise the sacrifices made by good people, whose selflessness can serve to remind us of our duty of care to one another.
“It is an honour to present awards to 21 deserving recipients and I thank them for their courage.”