Carlow gardaí awarded for their bravery after saving drowning man
Garda Colin Mallick and Sergeant Paul O'Shea, both based in Carlow Garda Station, were presented with awards for their life-saving work, pictured with Superintendent Anthony Farrell. Photo: David Branigan
TWO gardaí based in Carlow Garda Station were recently recognised for their outstanding bravery when they pulled a drowning person from the River Barrow.
On the 12 July this year, garda Colin Mallick and Sergeant Paul O’Shea responded to an incident involving a man who had gotten into difficulty in the Barrow in Carlow town.
Upon assessing the situation, both members quickly located and deployed a lifebuoy in an attempt to assist the man. They quickly realised that the man would drown if they didn’t get into the water themselves and physically pull him out. Without a second thought for their own safety, both garda Mallick and sgt O’Shea entered the water and made their way towards him.
They successfully reached the man and, working together, brought him safely to the riverbank. Emergency medical services arrived shortly thereafter and took over and, thankfully, man subsequently made a full recovery For their courage, garda Mallick and sgt O’Shea were honoured with lifesaving bravery awards at the Water Safety Ireland Awards on 21 October.
The awards were presented by chief supt Jane Humphries and minister of state Jerry Buttimer, TD, at a ceremony hosted by Water Safety Ireland in UCD, Dublin.
“It was an incredible act of bravery by Colin and Paul. They have families themselves and they selflessly entered the water to save that man. We’re very proud of them,” said Superintendent Anthony Farrell.
