The heroic efforts of a Limerick Garda may be realised at the National Bravery Awards. Garda James O’ Connor was involved in a dramatic river rescue in Limerick city recently when gardai were alerted to a woman who had gone missing from her home on the north side of city. Originally from Clarecastle, Garda O’ Connor is stationed at Mayorstone garda station. He said he would be honoured if he is nominated for a National Bravery Award. 
Speaking to the Limerick Leader, he said “We heard a kind of groan and we heard a noise out a bit in the reeds so we ran over, we could just make out the lady in question.” Because of her location, the gardai were not able to throw her a life buoy. “She was kind of floating on her back holding onto a branch or something so we couldn’t actually get the life buoy out to her,” he said Without hesitation, Garda O’Connor then waded into the water and through the reeds until he reached the woman.
Despite being 6’2” in height, at the one point the brave garda was in water so deep, it was over his shoulders. “When I stepped out, it wasn’t that deep and it was okay going in. The water was between my knees and my waist but where she was there was a sharp drop but because I am 6’2” I was okay and I was able to step back up onto the ridge and drag her back,” he said.
The Chief Superintendent of the Limerick Garda Division David Sheahan has praised the actions of the garda and his colleagues, Garda Gillian Kirwan, Garda Ciaran McCarthy and Garda Paul Baynham for their heroic actions. “I would like to certainly commend the bravery that was displayed by Garda James O’Connor on the morning in question as he waded his way into the reeds in the water to effect this rescue,” he said adding that he has no doubt Garda O’Connor’s name will be put forward for a Bravery Award. Garda O’ Connor told the Limerick Leader “It would be great, it’s a great honour but at the end of the day there were three of us there and I wouldn’t have gone in if I didn’t have somebody there.”
Source: Limerick Leader Pic: Limerick Leader
