Brave Belmullet-born garda honoured at awards

Áine Ryan

THE bravery of a 32-year-old garda from Belmullet who saved a woman after she jumped into the Liffey in Dublin’s city centre was recently marked at the National Bravery Awards 2015. In the early hours of May 4 last Garda PΡdraig Keane was on mobile patrol with a colleague when he saw the young woman stand on O’Connell Bridge and then jump in.
“I rushed up to the bridge and couldn’t see her and so I called out but got no reply. I then heard her shout for help, she had been dragged by the current about twenty metres from O’Connell Bridge. I ran down the boardwalk, took off my stab-vest, and jumped into the river. I swam to her and dragged her to the the side of the river where I held onto her and a metal beam supporting the boardwalk for 20 minutes until the Dublin fire brigade were able to pull both of us to safety,” Garda Keane said. Both the garda and the woman were removed to hospital by ambulance afterwards.  

Proud sister
It was his proud sister, Marie O’Donnell, who contacted The Mayo News about her brave brother. She confirmed that he had had only months earlier got married to Catriona Morrissey in Moyvalley, Co Kildare.
“The life of a garda is on the line every single day in the job they do. We, as a society, do not fully realise exactly what they do for us. Over 40 individuals were recognised for their bravery at Farmleigh House. Ceann Comhairle SeΡn Barrett was in attendance and all guests were royally treated. My parents Tom and Mary Keane were humbly proud and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion,” Marie O’Donnell said.

Swift action
The citation for his award of a Certificate of Bravery stated: “There is no doubt that but for the swift actions of Garda PΡdraig Keane that the incident may have resulted in loss of life.  Garda Keane displayed considerable courage in the actions he took.  Without the actions of Garda Keane the lady in question may well have perished.”
The award was presented at a ceremony at Farmleigh House, The Phoenix Park, on November 13.

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