Mayo hero strips and jumps into canal in Galway to rescue a man close to drowning

A man from Mayo has been honoured by the Government for diving into a canal to save a man who was drowning.

Jonathan Monroe will be among those honoured by Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, today Friday, December 5, as she presents 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others.

Jonathan will be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for his actions on Friday, July 15, 2022.

Jonathan was walking near the Eglinton Canal in Galway City when he heard noises and splashing coming from the canal and saw a distressed man deep in the water.

The man, who was mostly submerged, was going under, with only his head visible above the water. Without hesitation, Jonathan stripped off his clothing and dived into the canal in an attempt to rescue him. 

READ NEXT: Mayo tourist hotspot amongst the top Instagrammable destinations in Ireland - Mayo Live

Jonathan swam out to the man, who was now face down underwater and tried to turn him over to get his face up out of the canal. Although struggling to get the man turned onto his back, Jonathan managed to pull the man into a position where his head was out of the water and then swam with him towards the bank of the canal.  

Other people passing had by now called for the Emergency Services to attend and another man on the canal bank assisted Jonathan to remove the male from the water.

When they got him ashore, he was distressed but conscious and was attended to before being taken away to receive further treatment.