Ceann Comhairle presents National Bravery Awards

Today’s ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together to receive twenty six certificates, six Bronze Medals and thirteen Silver Medals. James Nicholl received a posthumous Gold medal award for Bravery.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said: 

“Today the Irish State recognises and celebrates the noblest impulse in a human being, the impulse to risk our lives in order to save someone else’s. But just as importantly, what these awards also do is mark the importance of the lives that were saved and also those that were lost. 

I say this because in several instances, we are making awards where, in spite of brave actions and valiant efforts, lives were tragically lost. Those involved in these attempts know how hard they struggled, the families of those lost appreciate their efforts as do we, the Irish nation.”

 

The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 76 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional Acts of Bravery. 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.

 

Recipients from Wexford, Kildare, Laois, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Wicklow, Donegal and Dublin were among those honoured at the ceremony in Farmleigh House, for acts of bravery and courage.

For more information on the National Bravery Awards: Bravery Awards

 

ENDS

Photographs from the event at Dublin’s Farmleigh House are available from Maxwell Photography from 4pm on Friday November 10th. 

Please contact office@maxwellphotography.ie  or 01-8308072 for queries related to photography.

Photographs available on the Oireachtas Flickr account

 

Full list of citations (Recipients location)

 

Eric Doran (Dublin)

The rescue of a woman who was being bundled into a car by an assailant

On a dark winter’s morning, the 6^th of January 2020, a woman was walking down Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin when a man grabbed her and tried to force her into the boot of his car. The woman struggled and began screaming and kicking out as the man tried to close the boot on her. The woman later said she was in fear of her life but she continued to struggle with the assailant as he slammed the boot on her legs several times. Eric Doran was passing in his car on his way to work and although he hadn’t got a clear view of what he was seeing he was immediately concerned and brought his own vehicle to a stop. He reversed back beside the car as the assailant began trying to drag his victim from the boot into the back seat. As Eric approached, the assailant threw his victim to the ground and fled the scene. According to the Garda report, the intervention of Eric Doran undoubtedly saved the life of the woman who was being abducted. Eric Doran noted the make of the vehicle and a partial registration as he went to help the lady and the assailant was later arrested and imprisoned. The woman later stated “only God knows what would have happened if that man had not seen me”.

For his actions, Eric Doran is awarded a Certificate of Bravery

 

Marc O’Connor (Limerick)

Aiding in the rescue of his mother and sister from an overturned car at Keelnahulla Cross, Co. Cork

Early on a freezing cold morning, the 14th December 2022, Marc O’Connor, then aged 9, was a passenger in his mother’s car when it hit black ice and swerved across the road. The car eventually landed in a drain below the road. Marc’s mother and his sister Sive were trapped in the car and Marc was the only one able to free himself. He climbed out a broken window with his mother’s phone and she sent him to get help as the car was not visible from the road. Even though he had a pain in his back Marc set off, although his mother was worried that another car would skid on the same ice and hit the young boy. However Marc walked away from the car across the field to where he could be seen and a passing school bus driver saw him and stopped. Marc explained to the bus driver that his mother and sister were trapped and needed help. A van driver also came to their assistance as Marc rang for an ambulance before sitting and reassuring his sister, who had by now been lifted out of the car.

For his actions. Marc O’Connor is awarded a Certificate of Bravery

 

Joseph Cahill (Galway)

The rescue of three people from a burning house in Galway

Early on the morning of Thursday, 12^th of January 2023, a fire broke out at a rental property in Ballybane, Galway. One tenant made it out of the house but three remaining tenants were trapped in an upstairs bedroom. Joe Cahill, who lived across the street, heard the noise and when he looked out his window he saw the three people trapped. Joe sourced a ladder and climbing up it he broke the upstairs bedroom window with a fire extinguisher. He was then able to assist the three tenants down the ladder to safety, before the arrival of the Fire Brigade. Two of the tenants were later treated for smoke inhalation at University College Hospital Galway and thankfully both made a full recovery.

For his actions, Joseph Cahill is awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

 

Darren Byrnes (Clare) and Ian Bolger (Clare)

The attempted rescue of a man and a child from the sea at Doonbeg

At around 5pm on Saturday 13^th of August 2022, Gardaí received a report of swimmers in difficulty at Doughmore Bay, Co Clare. Darren Byrnes and Ian Bolger were on the beach and had observed two young boys in difficulty in the sea. Darren and Ian entered the water and swam in the direction of the pair. They reached the struggling children.

Gardaí spoke to Ian and Darren at the scene who were both cold and visibly shaken. Darren and the second boy managed to tread water until he was rescued by the Coast Guard helicopter.

For their actions, Darren Byrnes and Ian Bolger are each awarded a Certificate of Bravery

 

Donnchadh Kennedy (Dublin)

The rescue of two swimmers from the sea at Tullan Strand

On the evening of Saturday 13^th of August 2022, Donnchadh Kennedy was surfing at Tullan Strand, Co. Donegal when he was alerted by people on the beach and nearby cliffs that there was a swimmer in difficulty in the sea about 80 metres from his position in the water. He immediately paddled through three to four foot waves and into the rip current to the location of the swimmer. As he approached her she went under the waves and he grabbed her and attempted to get her on to his surfboard. She finally managed to cling to the board and with great difficulty he eventually paddled out of the rip current and another surfer came to help. They were bringing her towards the beach when Donnchadh was alerted to another man in difficulty in the water. He turned and paddled back out into the current again and managed to help the man to grab hold of his surfboard. Although exhausted from the effort he paddled back out of the rip current and with the aid of another surfer the man was brought safely to shore.

For his actions, Donnchadh Kennedy is awarded a Bronze Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Don O’Neil (Kerry) and Donal Hanley (Kerry)

The rescue of a man from the sea at Ballyheigue

 

On the 24^th of September 2022 a man, who was a regular sea swimmer, found himself caught in a rip tide while swimming in the sea off Ballyheigue Beach, Co. Kerry. He began shouting for help and was struggling to stay afloat when Donal Hanley and Don O’Neil entered the water and swam out tohim. At this point he was some distance offshore and all three were swept out further to sea while struggling to stay afloat in the strong current. Due to the current and the sea conditions all three were in fear of their lives but after some time battling the waves all three eventually got back to the safety of the beach. The rescued man, who was a strong and experienced swimmer, was very appreciative of the assistance of both Don and Donal and recognised they were instrumental in saving his life that day.

For their actions, Donal Hanley and Don O’Neil are each awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Bravery

 

Garda Caitríona Munnelly (Mayo) & Sergeant Brendan O’Toole (Meath)

The apprehension of a disturbed male and the search of a house on fire near Ballivor

Early in the morning of 13^th of June 2022, at about 6:45am, Sergeant Brendan O' Toole and Garda  Caitríona Munnelly were in the Ballivor area of Co. Meath, when a distressed man directed them to an incident. They observed a large amount of smoke bellowing from the roof of a house and a number of people attempting to extinguish the blaze. They also observed another man breaking the windows of the house with a large pointed iron bar and pouring a liquid substance onto the flames. This man was also swinging the bar at the people trying to extinguish the blaze.

Without hesitation Sergeant O' Toole and Garda Munnelly exited the vehicle and positioned themselves between the man and the members of the public. As the Gardai approached him, the man swung the bar at them and also sprayed a liquid substance at them. Notwithstanding the danger, the two Gardaí were able to disarm and apprehend him without injury to any persons present.  At this stage the property was engulfed in flames but once the threat from the man was neutralised, Sergeant O' Toole and Garda Munnelly searched the property to ensure no one was trapped inside. Although both Gardaí suffered minor smoke inhalation and the home of a local couple was completely destroyed, nobody was injured as a result of the incident.

For their actions, both Gardaí are each awarded a Bronze Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Michael McKeon

The attempted rescue of a man who had got into difficulty at Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Late on the evening of the 17^th of August 2021, Michael McKeon was swimming at Seapoint, Blackrock, Co. Dublin with friends. They were getting dressed on the bank when they heard a cry for help from the water and could see two people in the sea at a distance offshore of about 100m. One of the two was waving and shouting while trying to keep the other afloat.  Although it was getting dark and Michael had already been swimming, he re-entered the water along with another man and swam out to the men in the water. They brought the man back to the bank and members of the emergency services started CPR on the man. Unfortunately despite the best efforts of all involved, the man remained unresponsive and was later pronounced dead. 

For his actions, Michael McKeon is awarded a Bronze Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Brian Boyle (Wexford)

The rescue of a person from a burning house in Wexford town.

On the evening of the 10th of January 2018, Brian Boyle was getting into his van when he saw smoke coming out of a house about 100 metres away. He saw that the house was on fire and someone told him that there was a woman inside. He climbed over a wall and entered the house from the back. All the lights were out and the house was pitch black and full of smoke. There were flames in the sitting room and the light of the flames showed that there was a woman lying on the ground between the kitchen and the sitting room. The woman, who was disorientated refused to leave with Brian. With smoke beginning to overcome them Brian lifted her up off the ground and wrapped his arms around her to drag her out of the house.

For his actions Brian Boyle is awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery

 

Christo Drami (Dublin)

The rescue of a woman from a violent domestic assault in Dublin 

This nomination for bravery stems from the attempted murder of a woman who was the victim of a sustained and ultra-violent attack. The extreme violence used by her then partner, included him using a carving knife to stab her in the neck, head, face and arm. Having broken a knife in the victim’s neck, the assailant armed himself with a slash hook and began swinging it at her. At this point the victim had managed to make her way to a communal landing of her apartment building.

Upon hearing her cries for help, Christo Drami, came out of his flat and saw the victim on the floor, covered in blood with the attacker leaning over her with a slash hook. Without regard for his own safety, Christo intervened and tackled the assailant, disarming him of the slash hook and incapacitating him until the arrival of Gardai. The Detectives involved in investigating the case had no doubt that his intervention saved the life of the woman and resulted in her attacker being arrested and later imprisoned.

For his actions, Christo Drami is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

David Doran (Wicklow)

The rescue of a man from heavy seas at Bray Beach, Co. Wicklow

At around 10 am on the morning of April 24^th 2022, David Doran set out to go for a swim at the harbour end of Bray beach. It was a damp and cold day but the sea swell was also significant, such that David (an experienced swimmer), decided not to get in the water. As he was about to leave, he noticed some women pointing out to sea and trying to raise some attention. Following their directions, David saw a man flailing in the water about 70 - 80 metres out to sea beyond the rocks at the end of the beach. The conditions were so poor that no one was willing to go into the water. In spite of his own misgivings about the sea state, David swam out through the waves to reach the man who was by then slipping in and out of consciousness.

After reaching the man, David swam back to the shore, dragging the man with him through the waves and difficult currents. An ambulance was called and CPR was performed on the man who thankfully recovered from the ordeal.

For his actions David Doran is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Fred Corcoran (Dublin)

The rescue of a young girl who had fallen into the River Dodder

In July 1947 Fred Corcoran, who was then aged about 15, saw a crowd leaning over railings on Londonbridge Road at the edge of the River Dodder screaming for help. Fred rushed over and saw that there was a young blonde haired girl struggling out in the middle of the river. There was an exceptionally high tide and the river was full at the time.

The girl went under the water just as Fred saw her, so he removed his jacket and dived from the railings into the water. He swam out to her and although she was submerged, he saw a small clump of her blonde hair and pulling her up he managed to swim back to the Dodder wall. He stood on the submerged debris of an old wartime air raid shelter and stretched up to hand the little girl into the waiting arms of onlookers. The girl was whisked away in an ambulance and Fred was eventually helped out of the water.

For his actions Fred Corcoran is awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery.

 

Tom Fitzgerald (Dublin) and John Burke (Sligo)

The rescue of three young boys from the River Shannon 

At around 3 o'clock on Saturday, 19^th of September 1964, three boys were playing in a boat at the quays in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The boat started to drift away on the current and the three boys began to panic as none of them could swim. Tom Fitzgerald, who was then just 10 years old, saw one of the boys, a five year old, jump into deep water from the boat. Tom plunged into the water and swam to the boy and brought him ashore. He then went back into the water to assist an older boy who had also jumped from the boat to help but was in danger of drowning himself. When Tom brought this boy to the quay wall, John Burke, who was 14 at the time began artificial respiration until a local doctor arrived and they succeeded in reviving the unconscious boy. Meanwhile Tom went back into the water to help the third boy who was holding on to the side of the boat. Tom helped this boy back into the boat which was brought back to the quayside. 

For their actions, Tom Fitzgerald is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery and John Burke is awarded a Certificate of Bravery

 

Francis Doherty (Donegal)

The rescue of a woman from the sea in Donegal

On the 15^th of May 2022, two women were taking their daily swim at Carrickfinn Beach, Co. Donegal. Although it was a sunny afternoon, the sea was choppy with rising waves. However, unbeknownst to them a riptide had developed and one of the women got caught in the current. The other woman swam towards the shore and began calling for help. Due to the sea conditions nobody on the beach felt confident enough to attempt a rescue and by now the woman caught in the water was exhausted trying to fight against the current and was several hundred metres from shore.

Francis Doherty took a life ring and started swimming out to sea. When he finally reached the woman he put one of her arms into the ring and told her to hold on. However, exhausted by the strain and cold she passed out and Francis had to take hold of her by the wrist and pull her. As the waves rose he lifted her head above the water and swam into the waves that thankfully took them towards the shore.  Several men ran to meet them and pulled them both safely ashore.

The woman was examined by the paramedics, and flown to hospital by helicopter but thankfully, she was released three days later.

For his actions, Francis Doherty is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Garda Shane Smyth (Kildare) and Garda Padraig Marum (Laois)

The rescue of a man from a burning car

Shortly after midnight on the 7^th of September 2019, Garda Shane Smyth and Garda Padraig Marum arrived at the scene of a high speed car crash, near Kill East in Co. Kildare. The car had crashed into a large stone wall and was on fire. As the car was pinned in between trees, the driver was trapped inside. Both Gardaí ran to the burning car as the driver was shouting for help but were unable to open the driver’s door which was pinned closed by the tree. Garda Smyth broke the driver’s window to get into the car so that they could pull out the driver but couldn’t get to him. 

The Gardaí then ran to the passenger's side of the car and crawled in between the stone wall and the burning car to rescue the driver. Having freed him, they crawled back out, dragging him to a safe distance behind a Garda Van. Minutes later the car exploded. 

For their actions both Garda Shane Smyth and Garda Padraig Marum are each awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery

 

Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)

The rescue of a woman from the River Lee near South Gate Bridge, Cork

At approximately 19.30, on the 6th of November 2020, a woman entered the River Lee near the South Gate Bridge in Cork city and was swept by a strong current towards Parliament Bridge. Kevin O’ Sullivan was out with friends and on seeing the woman in distress he climbed down to the river and began swimming towards the woman. The woman was screaming for help and fighting the current and was about to go under water before Kevin reached her. Kevin's friends threw life buoys into the river and while keeping the woman above water, Kevin managed to drag her to a buoy. From there he and the woman were reeled to the nearest ladder at Sullivan's quay, where Gardaí and members of the fire brigade were waiting. An exhausted Kevin was examined for possible secondary drowning, while the woman was taken to hospital and kept in for treatment. 

For his actions, Kevin O’Sullivan is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

Conor Power (Wicklow)

The rescue of a woman from heavy seas near Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Conor Power arrived at the Northern end of Greystones South Beach on the 11th of November 2020,  in order to train for the practical element of his PE Leaving Certificate examination. The sea conditions were   severe and training was cancelled. However, as he went to get the bus home, he became aware of a lady struggling in the water and being pushed towards the rocks by the sea. A bystander told him she had been struggling for some time and so Conor decided he had to attempt a rescue. Taking a ringbuoy he swam through the waves for about 200 metres to reach the woman. He gave her the buoy and holding onto the rope he tried to tow her clear of the dangerous rocks. After much effort he got her clear of immediate danger but the effort, cold water, wind and waves had exhausted him. Conor told the lady to hold onto the ring buoy and that help was on its way.  He swam back to shore, where he was put in an ambulance and treated for the cold as well as being given oxygen. Subsequently he was brought to St Vincent's Hospital A&E where he was observed for around 3 hours prior to release. The woman was recovered from the sea by helicopter and evacuated to hospital where she is understood to have made a full recovery.

For his actions, Conor Power is awarded a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Bravery

 

David Dunne (Kilkenny) and Mike Bolger (Carlow)

The rescue of three children and a man from the River Barrow in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

On the afternoon of Monday, the 1^st of June, 2020, David Dunne and Mike Bolger were at a local Park in Graiguenamanagh when they heard screaming from the river. They saw a man and three children in difficulty in the water. David and Mike jumped into the river and David swam to get one of the children and the man who was struggling against the strong river current. Meanwhile Mike began trying to rescue another of the children, a girl who had become trapped in a weir. The girl was going under the water inside of the weir and the water was so rapid that Mike also got caught in the whirlpool and was struggling to keep them both above water. At this point Mike’s dog, a Staffordshire terrier called Clyde, jumped in and Mike pushed the girl towards the dog. The girl grabbed on to Clyde which left Mike free to swim with his two hands so that he was able to get out of the whirlpool but he was struggling to get the girl to safety. By now David had gotten the man and boy ashore and then swam to another girl who was clinging to a tree out in the middle of the river. He managed to push her to the wall of the weir and they both scrambled up. David then ran over the weir, grabbing Mike's hand as he was going under and together they got the girl to safety.

For their actions David Dunne and Mike Bolger are each awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery

 

Callum Clarke (Roscommon)

The rescue of a man who had fallen into a lake near Tulsk, Co. Roscommon 

Callum Clarke, then aged eleven, was fishing from a boat with his grandfather Sean, on Killina Lake, Co. Roscommon on the evening of Thursday, 17^th of September 2021. A freak gust of wind tipped Sean into the water and as he tried to surface the boat began to capsize. Sean went under the surface but was brought up by Callum grabbing his collar. Although they were both wearing life jackets Sean’s failed to inflate and with both of them in the freezing cold water, Callum grabbed a board from the overturned boat and told his grandfather to hold on to it as the pair paddled to shore. When they made it to shore, Sean was struggling to breathe and young Callum ran to their car to get his phone and raise the alarm.

After being brought out of the water Sean was taken by ambulance to Mullingar General Hospital where he was detained briefly before making a full recovery.

For his actions, Callum Clarke is awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery

 

James Nicholl 

The attempted rescue of a man from the River Liffey, Dublin

On Saturday the 8^th of April 2023, at approximately 1.30am, Gardaí responded to a call of two men in the River Liffey near Grattan Bridge. On arriving at the scene, Gardaí momentarily observed a man in the river between Grattan Bridge and Millennium Bridge, before he disappeared under the water.

It has since been established that one young man jumped from Grattan Bridge into the Liffey around 1.20am. A close friend of his called for help and James Nicholl, stepped forward saying he would try to save the young man. The man calling for help told James not to go in if he couldn’t swim, but although Mr Nicholl did not know the young man in the water he insisted he would help. According to the man who was calling for help, James said ‘I am ex-army, I will get him’ and jumped into the dark Liffey waters to try and save the young man in distress.

Several lifebuoys were thrown into the water by people on the edge of the river and both An Garda Síochána and Dublin Fire Brigade searched from the quayside for some time but neither man could be located.  Shortly after 6am, the body of James Nicholl was recovered from the water beside Millennium Bridge by the Garda Water Unit. The search continued and sometime later the body of the young man he had attempted to save was recovered from the water beside the Ha’Penny Bridge.

For his brave and selfless actions, James Nicholl is posthumously awarded a Gold Medal and a Certificate of Bravery