Brave gardaí presented with awards

FIVE local gardaí were presented with silver medals at the recent Bravery Awards ceremony held at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park for their courage during two separate incidents.

In the first incident on June 26, 2018, a man was seen standing over the railing at the Snugborough Road / N3 Flyover in Dublin 15.

Garda Sean Breheny and another garda approached him while other gardaí attempted to block the fast flowing traffic underneath.

As a Dublin Bus approached underneath the bridge, the man pushed himself back against the bridge railing and jumped.

Garda Breheny ran to the railing, reached over, grabbed the man by his left arm and swung him back over the railing.

Garda Breheny put his own life at risk in executing the manoeuvre to save the man as both could have fallen to their deaths.

In the second incident four gardaí came to the aid of a man in difficulty on the parapet of the M50 bridge over the Strawberry Beds.

Garda Sergeant Gavin Coleman and Garda MJ Carroll were first to respond to the call and Garda Darren Blackwell and Garda Jason Walsh joined them shortly after. 

The man then made an effort to jump off the bridge. The gardaí intervened and ended up struggling with him, but they managed to hold on.

The Gardaí put themselves at great risk of plunging to their deaths, but after managing to pull the man back across the barriers, Sergeant Coleman, Garda Carroll and the man fell off the gantry and dropped seven feet onto the M50 roadway. 

Garda Walsh had to grab Garda Blackwell’s legs to prevent him being pulled over as well. The man fell on top of the Gardaí.

Sergeant Coleman was knocked unconscious and Garda Carroll suffered bruising to his hip. Garda Blackwell suffered minor injuries to both arms.

Sergeant Coleman and Garda Carroll were taken by ambulance to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Sergeant Coleman received seven stitches to his head and suffered severe bruising. Garda Carroll sustained severe bruising and soft tissue damage to his hips.

For their actions in both incidents, Garda Sean Breheny Garda Darren Blackwell, Garda Sergeant Gavin Coleman, Garda M.J. Carroll and Garda Jason Walsh were each awarded a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery.

The Bravery awards were set up in 1947 to recognise those who risked their lives to save others. They’re administered by Comhairle Na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which is chaired by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl.

“The National Bravery Awards give us an opportunity to celebrate the courage of our emergency services and people who risk their own safety to protect their fellow citizens,” he said.

“It is important to recognise the sacrifices made by people whose selflessness can serve to remind us of our duty of care to one another.”