Michael Commins
THE nephew of Gerardine O’Mahony, wife of Mayo team manager and newly-elected TD, John O’Mahony, had a miraculous escape after being carried for several yards on the bonnet of a stolen vehicle in Tullamore at the weekend.
Garda David Scahill (27), who plays at midfield for the Castlerea St Kevin’s club, was on duty in Tullamore around 4am on Saturday morning when the stolen vehicle mounted a footpath and headed straight for him. Only quick thinking by David saved him from being smashed against the wall when he jumped and landed on the bonnet.
The delivery vehicle had been stolen earlier in the town and the owner tied up in the back. Shortly after the incident, from which Garda Scahill was lucky to escape with relatively minor injuries, the vehicle crashed nearby and a man, believed to be from England, was arrested close to the scene.
Garda Scahill, who resides with his wife Georgina in Mullingar, has been stationed in Tullamore for just seven weeks, having being transferred from Edenderry. Liam is son of Madeleine (nee Towey) and Liam Scahill, Castlerea. His grandmother, Annie Towey, resides in Ballaghaderreen.
“Considering the gravity of the situation in which he found himself, Liam was very fortunate to escape and survive the incident,” said a friend.
