Ballina rescuers recognised at Irish Water Safety awards

Ballina rescuers recognised at Irish Water Safety awards


Ciara Galvin

THIRTY-five rescuers from 20 near-death incidents received recognition at Irish Water Safety’s National Awards Ceremony in Dublin Castle recently.
Two of these rescuers were Ballina residents, John Clarke and Michael Mahony, who saved a man from drowning in the River Moy in January.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the fateful day earlier this year, John said it was all a matter of luck as he had been running down Bachelors Walk in Ballina and saw the man in the river.
“It’s bizarre because I usually don’t run in the evenings or run that route,” he explained.
Mr Clarke immediately grabbed a life buoy and threw it to the man, luckily reaching the man.
“The current was strong and I was in an awkward spot. I started to scream for help and my neighbour’s father Michael came and he got a rope from his jeep and threw it to the man,” said Clarke.
The men used the rope to drag the man out from the strong current and shortly after, the Coast Guard was en route to the scene.
Asked how he felt when he discovered the man, Mr Clarke said it was ‘all adrenaline’.
“There was no way of planning for it. It just worked out well and there was a better ending than there could have been.”
Speaking about the aftermath of the rescue, John said the man’s family were ‘very grateful’ and that the rescue had opened John’s eyes and he now promotes the need for education about water safety and first aid to friends and family.  
The two men were honoured with awards at the ceremony in Dublin Castle earlier last month.
Twenty-two lives were saved from drowning through the actions of John, Michael and 33 fellow rescuers.