US POLICE SPRING TO THE RESCUE IN KENMARE
TWO of America’s finest are receiving well deserved acclaim this week after they helped to save the life of an elderly Irish pensioner in a pub in Kenmare on Wednesday evening.
Port Authority Police Officers Matthew Thomas and Matthew Gilhooley were holidaying in the region and had stopped into PF McCarthy’s pub in Kenmare on Wednesday night when the 71-year old pensioner collapsed in his chair after suffering a heart attack.
The quick thinking officers jumped into action however and administerd both CPR and the use of the bar’s defibrillator on the man, who was then quickly taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where his condition is currently unknown.
This amazing story was quickly shared on the Facebook page, the ‘Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Inc’, which wrote:
“The officers, who were on vacation, had just entered PF McCarthy’s Pub when the gentleman fell from his chair. Thomas and Gilhooley rushed to the man’s aid and quickly determined he was in cardiac arrest.”
“The officers began CPR along with using two shocks from a defibrillator. After approximately 15 minutes of CPR the man regained his pulse and began to breathe on his own. Thomas and Gilhooley continued to attend to the man until the local EMS unit arrived; the gentleman was transported to Cork University Hospital where he continues to receive care.” the post read.
“Thomas and Gilhooley are four year veterans of the Port Authority Police Department and are, as all PAPD officers are, certified first responders trained in CPR, the use of a defibrillator, the proper application of a tourniquet among other life saving procedures - All PAPD officers are recertified annually. PAPD: Highly Trained, Historically Tested, True Blue. Others Before Self.,” the post finished.
The Facebook post drew great praise for the two off duty heroes with many commenting on the pairs quick thinking and calling them a credit to the uniform they wear.
Matthew Thomas currently works out of LaGuardia Airport while Matthew Gilhooley is assigned to Kennedy Airport.