Bravery awards for Clare gardaí

TWO Ennis-based gardaí were honoured on Wednesday with national bravery awards for their part in rescuing a young woman from the River Fergus over two years ago.
Garda Niall Doody was awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery, while Garda Edel Convey was awarded a certificate of bravery at a ceremony in Leinster House. The awards were presented by Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk TD, on behalf of Comhairle na Mire Gaile, the Deeds of Bravery Council, which recognises acts of bravery.
The two gardaí were on duty on the Lifford Road along the River Fergus in Ennis on April 4, 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 lifebuoy 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.
Garda Doody said that he was very proud at the recognition for his part in the rescue. He was also awarded a Water Safety Environment Award last year in relation to the incident.
“It was quiet an intense situation. My natural instinct was to help this lady, even though it could be dangerous. I would do the same thing again without hesitation. I couldn’t have managed it without Garda Convey whose support was crucial. We were delighted to be able to help,” he said.
Garda Doody is originally from Cork and has been serving as a garda in Ennis for over three years. The two local gardaí were among nine gardaí, two fire officers and 12 civilians who received bravery awards this week.
The Deeds of Bravery 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 and 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 week two of the medals were gold, five were silver and eight were bonze. 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.
Congratulating all concerned, Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, TD, said, these honours are richly deserved.
“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.”