Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, TD, presents National Bravery Awards at Leinster House ceremony
Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, TD, presented 23 awards in recognition of outstanding acts of bravery at a national ceremony in Leinster House today, Wednesday, September 22.
The honours were awarded by Comhairle na Mire Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was established in 1947 to provide for suitable recognition by the State of deeds of bravery. The Council, which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Lord Mayor of Cork, the Director of the Association of City & County Councils and the Garda Commissioner.
The Council may award medals in either Gold, Silver or Bronze categories. Certificates of recognition may also be awarded. At the ceremony this afternoon, two of the medals were Gold, five were Silver and eight were Bronze. Eight certificates were also awarded. The Council hopes that this high profile ceremony will draw deserved attention to the actions of the recipients and heighten awareness of the scheme generally.
Since the awards were established in 1947, a total of10 Gold Medals, 68 Silver Medals, 261 Bronze Medals, 1,468 Certificates, and nine Letters of Commendation have been awarded. Recent recipients included civilians and members of the Gardai, emergency services personnel and fire services personnel.
Among those who received awards today are:
Gold Paddy Sean Fogarty (posthumously)
Gold Thomas Falconer
Silver Conor Doherty
Silver Ryan Hamill
Silver David McGowan
Silver John Shanahan
Silver Cherie Eustace
Bronze Michael Bracken
Bronze Gerard Byrnes
Bronze Drew Doherty
Bronze Garda Niall Doody
Bronze Stephen Earles
Bronze Sean Moloney
Bronze Garda Nigel McInaw
Bronze Kieran Stevenson
Certificate Garda John O’Reilly
Certificate Garda Enda Hughes (posthumously)
Certificate Garda Janet O’Neill
Certificate Garda Helen McSweeney
Certificate Garda James Wade
Certificate Patricia McTague
Certificate Noel McTague
Certificate Garda Edel Convey
Congratulating all concerned, Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, TD, said: “These honours are richly deserved and the awards are a fitting tribute and recognise heroic acts by members of the public as well as members of our emergency services, many of whom without regard for their own personal safety, put their lives on the line to help others. Their families, friends, neighbours, communities and, indeed, all of us should be justifiably proud of their achievements and their extraordinary feats of bravery.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
E: ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Notes to the editor:
Background to the various honours awarded today:
Memorial Gold Medal & Certificate Citation
Paddy Sean Fogarty
On the Morning of 26th July, 1989, Paddy Sean Fogarty arrived at Inny Strand and saw his friend, Fr Willie Murphy, in difficulty in the water. Despite treacherous conditions - waves were breaking and the swell was powerful and that particular area is known for its dangerous undercurrents – Paddy Sean immediately got into the water and swam to Fr Murphy’s aid. Paddy Sean became entangled in rope in the water and was unable to get ashore. Help arrived but Fr Willie Murphy was pulled from the water and pronounced dead at the scene. Unfortunately Paddy Sean lost his life trying to save that of his friend.
Gold Medal & Certificate Citation
Thomas Falconer
On the morning of September 12, 1999, off-duty firefighter Thomas Falconer entered a house which was on fire on Mayor’s Walk, Waterford and crawling through thick smoke discovered a person lying face down and unconscious on the floor. On his own, he pulled the person to safety. But for the swift actions of Thomas, who displayed exceptional courage during this difficult rescue, the victim would have lost her life.
Silver Medals & Certificates
John Shanahan
On the morning of 8th September 1988, emergency medical technician, John Shanahan, was on duty travelling across Rice Bridge, in Waterford when he was informed that there was a woman in the River Suir. John located the woman, jumped into the river and swam over to her. Despite the water conditions, he succeeded in bringing her back to the bank and administered first aid. The woman was brought to hospital and John returned to work.
David McGowan
On the 12th March 2007, at around 5 pm David McGowan was walking along the river path in Easkey Village when a neighbour informed him that a man was attempting to throw himself into the river. David saw that the man had got into the water and was being carried out by the flood water. He quickly ran down the steps towards the river and swam out to the man. When he reached him, he pulled him to the bank and stayed with him until the Gardai arrived.
Cherie Eustace
In the early hours of 24th July 2005, a fire started in the flat that Cherie Eustace shared with her Grandparents, in Bishop Street, Dublin. While her Grandmother was able to escape through the front door, Cherie went upstairs to her Grandfather. Smoke filled the house very quickly and access through the front door was no longer possible. Cherie stayed with her Grandfather and continued to shout for help through a window. The fire brigade arrived and rescued Cherie and her grandfather. Cherie spent a month recovering in hospital after the fire.
Conor Doherty and Ryan Hamill
Conor Doherty and his friend Ryan Hamill, were skateboarding at home on the 20th August 2007 when they noticed three young children (a girl aged 12, and 2 boys 10 & 8 in age) in difficulty at Tullan Strand, Bundoran, Co. Donegal. Conor and Ryan ran down the cliffs and across the beach and entered the sea without any concern for their own safety. Conor was able to get the young boys out of the water, while Ryan went out further to rescue the young girl. They managed to get all three children to the shore safely.
Bronze Medal and Certificates
Michael Bracken
Michael Bracken was driving along Camden Quay in Cork City when he saw three youths and a man on the railings beside the river. As he approached the boys, one of them jumped into the water. Michael descended the quay ladder, entered the water, waded out with the lifebuoy to the youth and brought him back to the ladder. He secured the youth to the ladder and held onto the boy until the emergency services arrived.
Sean Moloney and Gerard Byrnes
In April 1999 two men, Sean Moloney and Gerard Byrnes, were out separately on the Black Bridge in Plassey, Limerick. They were alerted to a man drowning in the River Shannon. Sean Moloney located the man who was clinging to an upturned boat and dived in, Gerard Byrnes followed him soon after. Both men brought the man safely to the bank using the boat.
Stephen Earles
On 23rd December 2005 Stephen Earles was walking down Rosbrien Road in Limerick when he saw a house fire. Stephen immediately entered the house by breaking the glass on the front door and found an elderly man lying unconsious in the hallway. He brought the man out of the house and called for assistance. The man subsequently regained consiousness and was treated for smoke inhalation.
Drew Doherty
In the early hours of 21st July 2006 Fire Fighter Drew Doherty was called to a scene at Scotch Quay in Waterford where a young woman had gotten into difficulty in the river. Several attempts were made to throw the life buoy to her but to no avail. Drew showing total disregard for his own safety entered the water and swam until he reached the girl, who was struggling. He put the lifebuoy around her and brought her to safety.
Garda Nigel McInaw
Garda Nigel McInaw received a call on the morning of 17th May 2005 informing him that a woman was about to jump into the River Boyne at St. Mary's Bridge in Drogheda, Co Louth. By the time he arrived the woman was in the water. He dropped the life buoy to her and engaged in conversation with her. She lost her grip and slipped into the water. Garda McInaw abseiled down the rope and grabbed the girl and held her above the water until help arrived. The woman made a full recovery.
Kieran Stevenson
In August 2006 Kieran Stevenson was holidaying on the Shannon-Erne Canal in Ballinamore Town in Co Leitrim. On the 12th August he was watching two men working on a lock. The mechanism failed on the lock and one of the men was struck on the head and fell into the water. Seeing that the man was lying face down in the water, Kieran dived in, grabbed the injured man and held his head above the water. Two other onlookers assisted Kieran in bringing the man to shore safely.
Garda Niall Doody
Garda Niall Doody and Garda Edel Convey were on duty on the Lifford Road along the River Fergus in Co Clare on the 4th April 2008. They noticed a young woman sitting by the river. Arriving back at the area a very short time later, they noticed that the young woman was gone. They immediately checked the area and saw her in the river with the current dragging her under. Garda Doody jumped off the wall into the water and swam towards her, while Garda Convey obtained the life buoy and threw it towards her colleague. He could not get the lifebuoy around the young woman so he had to hold onto both. Garda Convey pulled the rope of the lifebuoy to drag them both in towards the wall of the river. By this stage Garda Doody and the woman were in the water for approximately 15 minutes. Help arrived and the two were brought safely from the water.
Certificates
Garda John O’Reilly and Garda Enda Hughes (deceased)
In the early hours of 17th May 2004, Gardai John O'Reilly and Enda Hughes were on patrol in the area of Newry Bridge in Dundalk when they noticed a young woman sitting on the wall by the bridge. Fearing for her safety, they approached her to offer assistance but as they moved towards her, she lunged into the water. Garda Hughes, without regard for his own safety, entered the water and waded through to her. The young woman appeared to be unconscious and was being pulled under by the current. Garda Hughes grabbed her and pulled her towards him and with the assistance of Garda O'Reilly they pulled the woman to safety and looked after her until medical assistance arrived.
Patricia McTague and Noel McTague
On January 29th 2006, Noel and Patricia McTague were out walking in the Harold’s Cross area in Dublin when Noel noticed flames coming from a shop. He rang for the emergency services while Patricia alerted the residents who lived in flats above the shop. An explosion occurred injuring them both. Thanks to their timely intervention, all residents who were in their flats at the time escaped uninjured.
Garda James Wade
Garda James Wade and his colleague were called to an incident at Strand Palace Apartments in Youghal in the early hours of 26th October 2007. They were asked to assist a woman with her belongings and while assisting the woman she walked towards the nearby beach and into the sea. She was hit by a wave and was taken under the water. Garda Wade instructed his colleague to shine the torch towards the direction that the lady was last seen. Garda Wade entered the water fully clothed and located the woman and succeeded in rescuing her and bringing her to safety thus preventing her certain drowning.
Gardai Janet O'Neill and Helen McSweeney
Gardai Janet O'Neill and Helen McSweeney were on mobile patrol in Waterford City on the 15th July 2001 when they noticed that a block of apartments was on fire on O'Connell Street. After they radioed the fire brigade, they began to raise the alarm by banging on apartment doors. They managed to alert the occupants and no one was seriously injured in the fire.
Garda Edel Convey
Garda Edel Convey was awarded a Certificate for her role in helping to rescue a young woman from the River Fergus on the 4th April 2008 along with her colleague Garda Niall Doody.
The Council may award medals in either Gold, Silver or Bronze categories. Certificates of recognition may also be awarded. At the ceremony this afternoon, two of the medals were Gold, five were Silver and eight were Bronze. Eight certificates were also awarded. The Council hopes that this high profile ceremony will draw deserved attention to the actions of the recipients and heighten awareness of the scheme generally.
Since the awards were established in 1947, a total of10 Gold Medals, 68 Silver Medals, 261 Bronze Medals, 1,468 Certificates, and nine Letters of Commendation have been awarded. Recent recipients included civilians and members of the Gardai, emergency services personnel and fire services personnel.
Among those who received awards today are:
Gold Paddy Sean Fogarty (posthumously)
Gold Thomas Falconer
Silver Conor Doherty
Silver Ryan Hamill
Silver David McGowan
Silver John Shanahan
Silver Cherie Eustace
Bronze Michael Bracken
Bronze Gerard Byrnes
Bronze Drew Doherty
Bronze Garda Niall Doody
Bronze Stephen Earles
Bronze Sean Moloney
Bronze Garda Nigel McInaw
Bronze Kieran Stevenson
Certificate Garda John O’Reilly
Certificate Garda Enda Hughes (posthumously)
Certificate Garda Janet O’Neill
Certificate Garda Helen McSweeney
Certificate Garda James Wade
Certificate Patricia McTague
Certificate Noel McTague
Certificate Garda Edel Convey
Congratulating all concerned, Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, TD, said: “These honours are richly deserved and the awards are a fitting tribute and recognise heroic acts by members of the public as well as members of our emergency services, many of whom without regard for their own personal safety, put their lives on the line to help others. Their families, friends, neighbours, communities and, indeed, all of us should be justifiably proud of their achievements and their extraordinary feats of bravery.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
E: ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Notes to the editor:
Background to the various honours awarded today:
Memorial Gold Medal & Certificate Citation
Paddy Sean Fogarty
On the Morning of 26th July, 1989, Paddy Sean Fogarty arrived at Inny Strand and saw his friend, Fr Willie Murphy, in difficulty in the water. Despite treacherous conditions - waves were breaking and the swell was powerful and that particular area is known for its dangerous undercurrents – Paddy Sean immediately got into the water and swam to Fr Murphy’s aid. Paddy Sean became entangled in rope in the water and was unable to get ashore. Help arrived but Fr Willie Murphy was pulled from the water and pronounced dead at the scene. Unfortunately Paddy Sean lost his life trying to save that of his friend.
Gold Medal & Certificate Citation
Thomas Falconer
On the morning of September 12, 1999, off-duty firefighter Thomas Falconer entered a house which was on fire on Mayor’s Walk, Waterford and crawling through thick smoke discovered a person lying face down and unconscious on the floor. On his own, he pulled the person to safety. But for the swift actions of Thomas, who displayed exceptional courage during this difficult rescue, the victim would have lost her life.
Silver Medals & Certificates
John Shanahan
On the morning of 8th September 1988, emergency medical technician, John Shanahan, was on duty travelling across Rice Bridge, in Waterford when he was informed that there was a woman in the River Suir. John located the woman, jumped into the river and swam over to her. Despite the water conditions, he succeeded in bringing her back to the bank and administered first aid. The woman was brought to hospital and John returned to work.
David McGowan
On the 12th March 2007, at around 5 pm David McGowan was walking along the river path in Easkey Village when a neighbour informed him that a man was attempting to throw himself into the river. David saw that the man had got into the water and was being carried out by the flood water. He quickly ran down the steps towards the river and swam out to the man. When he reached him, he pulled him to the bank and stayed with him until the Gardai arrived.
Cherie Eustace
In the early hours of 24th July 2005, a fire started in the flat that Cherie Eustace shared with her Grandparents, in Bishop Street, Dublin. While her Grandmother was able to escape through the front door, Cherie went upstairs to her Grandfather. Smoke filled the house very quickly and access through the front door was no longer possible. Cherie stayed with her Grandfather and continued to shout for help through a window. The fire brigade arrived and rescued Cherie and her grandfather. Cherie spent a month recovering in hospital after the fire.
Conor Doherty and Ryan Hamill
Conor Doherty and his friend Ryan Hamill, were skateboarding at home on the 20th August 2007 when they noticed three young children (a girl aged 12, and 2 boys 10 & 8 in age) in difficulty at Tullan Strand, Bundoran, Co. Donegal. Conor and Ryan ran down the cliffs and across the beach and entered the sea without any concern for their own safety. Conor was able to get the young boys out of the water, while Ryan went out further to rescue the young girl. They managed to get all three children to the shore safely.
Bronze Medal and Certificates
Michael Bracken
Michael Bracken was driving along Camden Quay in Cork City when he saw three youths and a man on the railings beside the river. As he approached the boys, one of them jumped into the water. Michael descended the quay ladder, entered the water, waded out with the lifebuoy to the youth and brought him back to the ladder. He secured the youth to the ladder and held onto the boy until the emergency services arrived.
Sean Moloney and Gerard Byrnes
In April 1999 two men, Sean Moloney and Gerard Byrnes, were out separately on the Black Bridge in Plassey, Limerick. They were alerted to a man drowning in the River Shannon. Sean Moloney located the man who was clinging to an upturned boat and dived in, Gerard Byrnes followed him soon after. Both men brought the man safely to the bank using the boat.
Stephen Earles
On 23rd December 2005 Stephen Earles was walking down Rosbrien Road in Limerick when he saw a house fire. Stephen immediately entered the house by breaking the glass on the front door and found an elderly man lying unconsious in the hallway. He brought the man out of the house and called for assistance. The man subsequently regained consiousness and was treated for smoke inhalation.
Drew Doherty
In the early hours of 21st July 2006 Fire Fighter Drew Doherty was called to a scene at Scotch Quay in Waterford where a young woman had gotten into difficulty in the river. Several attempts were made to throw the life buoy to her but to no avail. Drew showing total disregard for his own safety entered the water and swam until he reached the girl, who was struggling. He put the lifebuoy around her and brought her to safety.
Garda Nigel McInaw
Garda Nigel McInaw received a call on the morning of 17th May 2005 informing him that a woman was about to jump into the River Boyne at St. Mary's Bridge in Drogheda, Co Louth. By the time he arrived the woman was in the water. He dropped the life buoy to her and engaged in conversation with her. She lost her grip and slipped into the water. Garda McInaw abseiled down the rope and grabbed the girl and held her above the water until help arrived. The woman made a full recovery.
Kieran Stevenson
In August 2006 Kieran Stevenson was holidaying on the Shannon-Erne Canal in Ballinamore Town in Co Leitrim. On the 12th August he was watching two men working on a lock. The mechanism failed on the lock and one of the men was struck on the head and fell into the water. Seeing that the man was lying face down in the water, Kieran dived in, grabbed the injured man and held his head above the water. Two other onlookers assisted Kieran in bringing the man to shore safely.
Garda Niall Doody
Garda Niall Doody and Garda Edel Convey were on duty on the Lifford Road along the River Fergus in Co Clare on the 4th April 2008. They noticed a young woman sitting by the river. Arriving back at the area a very short time later, they noticed that the young woman was gone. They immediately checked the area and saw her in the river with the current dragging her under. Garda Doody jumped off the wall into the water and swam towards her, while Garda Convey obtained the life buoy and threw it towards her colleague. He could not get the lifebuoy around the young woman so he had to hold onto both. Garda Convey pulled the rope of the lifebuoy to drag them both in towards the wall of the river. By this stage Garda Doody and the woman were in the water for approximately 15 minutes. Help arrived and the two were brought safely from the water.
Certificates
Garda John O’Reilly and Garda Enda Hughes (deceased)
In the early hours of 17th May 2004, Gardai John O'Reilly and Enda Hughes were on patrol in the area of Newry Bridge in Dundalk when they noticed a young woman sitting on the wall by the bridge. Fearing for her safety, they approached her to offer assistance but as they moved towards her, she lunged into the water. Garda Hughes, without regard for his own safety, entered the water and waded through to her. The young woman appeared to be unconscious and was being pulled under by the current. Garda Hughes grabbed her and pulled her towards him and with the assistance of Garda O'Reilly they pulled the woman to safety and looked after her until medical assistance arrived.
Patricia McTague and Noel McTague
On January 29th 2006, Noel and Patricia McTague were out walking in the Harold’s Cross area in Dublin when Noel noticed flames coming from a shop. He rang for the emergency services while Patricia alerted the residents who lived in flats above the shop. An explosion occurred injuring them both. Thanks to their timely intervention, all residents who were in their flats at the time escaped uninjured.
Garda James Wade
Garda James Wade and his colleague were called to an incident at Strand Palace Apartments in Youghal in the early hours of 26th October 2007. They were asked to assist a woman with her belongings and while assisting the woman she walked towards the nearby beach and into the sea. She was hit by a wave and was taken under the water. Garda Wade instructed his colleague to shine the torch towards the direction that the lady was last seen. Garda Wade entered the water fully clothed and located the woman and succeeded in rescuing her and bringing her to safety thus preventing her certain drowning.
Gardai Janet O'Neill and Helen McSweeney
Gardai Janet O'Neill and Helen McSweeney were on mobile patrol in Waterford City on the 15th July 2001 when they noticed that a block of apartments was on fire on O'Connell Street. After they radioed the fire brigade, they began to raise the alarm by banging on apartment doors. They managed to alert the occupants and no one was seriously injured in the fire.
Garda Edel Convey
Garda Edel Convey was awarded a Certificate for her role in helping to rescue a young woman from the River Fergus on the 4th April 2008 along with her colleague Garda Niall Doody.
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