Ceann Comhairle presents National Bravery Awards to 21 recipients for acts of courage

Friday’s ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together to receive their Certificates of Bravery and, for five of the recipients, Bronze Medals of Bravery as well.

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. The 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.”

Friday’s recipients, as listed in order of citation, are:

Bronze Medals and Certificates of Bravery

Certificates of Bravery

• Mr. Peter O’Connor – Cork.
• Mr. Rory O’Connor – Cork.
• Garda Thomas O’Griofa – Sligo.
• Garda David Hannon – Sligo.
• Garda Patrick Gallagher – Sligo.
• Sgt. Gerard Mullaney – Sligo.
• Ms. Michelle Cremin – Cork.
• Mr. Drew Kearney – Cork.
• Garda Stephen Fahy – Sligo.
• Mr. Adam McGoldrick – Sligo.
• Ms. Krista Valteris – Carlow.
• Ms. Keisha Moloney – Carlow.
• Garda Maria Freeley – Galway.
• Reserve Garda Alan Burke – Galway.
• Mr. Kelvin Kearns – Waterford.
• Mr. Paul Downes – Dublin.

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For broadcast footage, contact Oireachtas TV at +353 1 618 3789 or broadcast@oireachtas.ie.

LIST OF CITATIONS

CITATION 1

On 8th May, 2017, Clodagh Hayes (who was 14 years old at the time) had just finished training at the Lee Rowing Club on the River Lee Marina and was in the company of her father, when she saw a young boy who was in difficulty in the water. Even though the weather had been warm, the water conditions were treacherous due to a high tide, strong current and cold temperature. A life buoy had been thrown to the boy but due to the tide he was unable to grab same and began to go under the water. Ms. Hayes entered the water and proceeded to swim over to the boy with a life buoy and he was brought to safety. The young boy subsequently made a full recovery.

For her actions Clodagh Hayes is awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 2

On the evening of 15th July 2017 a vehicle entered a small river at Carrickmore, Saint Johnston, Co. Donegal and turned upside down on impact with a river bank. This trapped a female passenger inside the vehicle which was flooding with water. The driver was able to free himself from the vehicle and stood on top of the now overturned vehicle shouting for help. An off-duty Garda was nearby, but was unable to swim but flagged a car down and asked the person in the car, Andrew Johnston, if he could swim. Mr. Johnston entered the water. With the assistance of the driver and after four attempts, Mr. Johnston was able to remove the woman from the back seat of the car. They both brought the unconscious woman to the riverbank where another man along with a newly arrived Garda performed CPR on her. Paramedics from the Northern Ireland Fire Service arrived and brought her along with the driver to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry City. It should be noted that the woman had been under water for at least 5 minutes and had not been breathing when she was taken onto the riverbank. Both made full recoveries.

For his actions Andrew Johnston is awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 3

On 10th August, 2017, Paul McInerney and Eugene Duff were on holidays in Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford and both were swimming in the sea. They noticed another friend who had been staying at the same mobile site collapse and fall into the sea. Mr. McInerney and Mr. Duff swam over to the man who was being pulled out to sea by the current. They grabbed hold of him and brought him back to the shore with great difficulty, as he was having a heart attack. They performed CPR on the man but tragically, the man died.

For their actions Paul McInerney and Eugene Duff are each awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificates of Bravery.

CITATION 4

On 14th April, 2018, at 5.45 approx Gardai responded to a call to Mariners Quay, Passage West, Cork. This call concerned two children aged 6 and 7 who had fallen into the sea by Mariners Quay. Martin Cullinane was in his nearby apartment when he heard the commotion and shouting outside and looking out he saw the two youths in the water. He ran out and then dived in the quay. He brought the nearest boy to safety bringing him to the wall and railings where he lifted him up to another man who took the youth from him. Mr. Cullinane then swam out for the other youth who had been swept out. He observed that he was going under water and when he got to him all he could see was his hand. He grabbed his hand and rescued him, bringing him to safety. He was again met by the other man, who then assisted in getting both them out of the water. Mr. Cullinane’s partner had, at this point, made, contact with the emergency services and Gardaí and the Ambulance Service responded within minutes. Both youths were sent to Cork University Hospital where they made a full recovery.

For his actions Martin Cullinane is awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 5

On 14th October, 2016, twins Peter and Rory O’Connor (who were 9 years old at the time) were at home in Copstown, Mallow, Co. Cork with their older sister and grandmother when a minor fire broke out. Peter and Rory immediately contacted their parents while aiding their sister and grandmother out of the house. Chief Superintendent, Cork North Division has advised that due to the bravery and courageous actions of Peter and Rory ’Connor on the 14th October 2016 their quick actions ensured the safety of their grandmother.

For their actions Peter and Rory O’Connor are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 6

At approximately 8:36 p.m. on 1st June, 2017, a report of a fire emanating from a house in Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo was received by Gardaí in Sligo. On arrival at the scene Garda 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 arrived at the scene. Garda Gallagher entered the house and assisted Garda O’Griofa in removing the man to safety from the house. 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. Thankfully 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 are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 7

On 24th June, 2017, Michelle Cremin was on Inch Beach, Whitegate, Co. Cork when she heard the cries of a 10-year-old child who was being swept out to sea by a rip-current. She jumped into the water and swam towards the girl and was able to keep the child’s head above water until further help arrived from two men. Drew Kearney was working at the surf school at the beach when a local man ran up to him and told him that there were two girls in difficulty in the water. He immediately left his post, ran across to the opposite side of the beach, grabbed a ring-buoy from a bystander and entered the water. He saw the two girls in the water. The nearest to him was distressed but was in her depth and was being helped by a man. The second girl was out further and also distressed. She was being helped by Michelle and the two men, but all three were out of their depth. One man was, in effect pulling her down with him, while the second managed to tread water and hold the child’s head above water. Drew swam out to the second child and handed her the buoy which she clung on to. He them swam to the shore pulling the buoy with him, all the time looking back to ensure that she was still holding on. He got her to where she was back in her depth and a man brought the child to her mother.

For their actions Michelle Cremin and Drew Kearney are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 8

On 6th August, 2017 at 15:50 pm, An Garda Síochána whilst viewing CCTV footage in the Radio Communications Room at Sligo Garda Station observed a male individual standing up on Hyde Bridge over the Garavogue River and jumping into the river. 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 are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 9

Krista Valteris and Keisha Moloney were walking on 30th August, 2017 from Gortnahowan in Co. Carlow to the nearby housing estate in Graigeowen through a wasteland area known as the “Quarry”. They were approached by two parents who were concerned about their three missing sons. They asked the girls if they had seen them and they answered they had not, but would help to look for them. As they started to search, they became aware of screaming in the distance and ran over to a large, wet, swamp-like area containing a pond. They saw the older boys who were desperately looking on at the youngest brother (who was 6 years old) who was in severe difficulties in the water, repeatedly submerging under the water. Krista bravely jumped into the mud-filled pond on her own to rescue the boy. When he was brought back to the shore, Keisha managed to revive him with CPR and comfort him. The boy later made a full recovery.

For their actions Krista Valteris and Keisha Moloney are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 10

On 17th March, 2018, Garda Maria Freeley was on duty at Spanish Arch in Galway accompanied by Reserve Garda Alan Burke. At approximately 16:35 they noticed a man who was standing at the edge of the wall, as it drops down to the River Corrib.  When the man caught Garda Freeley’s eye, he put his arms out, leaned back and intentionally went back-first into the water. Garda Freeley immediately circulated the incident over the Tetra system as she and Reserve Garda Burke ran towards where the man had fallen into the water. Reserve Garda Burke jumped into the water, but very soon afterwards both he and the other man got into difficulty, struggling while holding on to each other. At this stage, Garda Freeley made the decision not to enter the water, as it was unsafe to do so. Another Reserve Garda arrived at this point and threw in a life buoy. Garda Freeley lay down and leaned down over the water and grabbed Reserve Garda Burke and brought him into the wall.  A passer-by also lay down and grabbed the man who had originally fallen into the water. Those on the bank worked on keeping both men’s heads above water and bringing them out of the water. Eventually both men were dragged up the wall to safety.  At this point, the Ambulance and the Fire Brigade arrived at the scene. Both the man and R/Garda Burke were brought to hospital where they recovered.

For their actions Garda Maria Freeley and Reserve Garda Alan Burke are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 11

On 27th September, 2017, a car that was being driven by an elderly man was travelling out from Waterford in a line of traffic when it veered slowly across the road through an opening line of traffic coming from the direction of Cork. The weather at the time featured heavy rain and wind and the driving conditions were dangerous. The car went through a wooden fence and ditch and fell approximately 20 feet down into a water-filled dyke. This was at Holycross, Butlerstown, Waterford. Kelvin Kearns was driving his van when at Holycross, he noticed a man standing on the opposite side of the road on speaking on a phone and staring down towards the dyke. He also noted that a wooden fence and ditch appeared to have been flattened in the same area. He parked his van and ran across the road and saw that a car was upside-down in a water-filled dyke. Without thought for his own safety he went down into the water which was up to his waist. He managed to open the passenger door of the car. As he searched around with his arm he caught hold of the elderly man and pulled him from the car. He held the elderly man for a short while in the water until, with the aid of paramedics who had arrived at the scene, he managed to bring him back up out of the dyke and onto the road. The elderly man was in hospital for a number of weeks following this incident, but has since recovered.

For his actions Kelvin Kearns is awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

CITATION 12

On the 8th of June, 2016, off-duty St John’s Ambulance Staff Officer Paul Downes was returning, from a concert in the 3 Arena, with his wife when he was alerted by a crowd who had observed that a person was in the River Liffey.  The bystanders were failing to reach the casualty with a buoy, as he was already about fifteen feet out in the river. The casualty was trashing about and was slipping under and while the emergency services could be heard in the distance. Mr. Downes estimated that they would not arrive in time. He entered the water, swam out to the casualty and returned him to the pontoon where bystanders helped both of them out of the water.The Emergency Services arrived and Mr. Downes and the survivor were taken to the Mater Hospital. The casualty was admitted and recovered, while Mr. Downes was examined and allowed home on the night.

For his actions Paul Downes is awarded a Certificate of Bravery.