Garda from Mayo risked his own life jumping into a river to save a man's life

Two member of An Garda Siochana from Mayo and Galway are being honoured by the Government for their bravery after saving a man from drowning. 

Garda Aiden and Brendan will each be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for their actions at about 1.50pm on the afternoon of Monday, July 27, 2020.

A member of the public ran in to Mill Street Garda Station in Galway City to report a man lying on a ledge beside the River Corrib.

The Corrib is notorious for having extremely strong currents and Garda Aiden McTigue and Inspector Brendan O'Grady ran from the station to assist.

They located the man near O’Brien’s Bridge and Garda McTigue tried to speak to him, but as he moved closer, the man deliberately rolled over into the water and was immediately caught up in the strong current.  

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Without hesitation, Garda McTigue jumped in and swam towards the man, grabbing hold of him before pulling him towards the riverbank. Having retrieved a lifebuoy, Inspector O'Grady ran to assist, and they both held onto the man at the water’s edge, waiting for assistance from the fire brigade, who were enroute.  

However, the man lunged and grabbed both Gardaí, pulling them into the water and all three were dragged down river. Despite the swirling rapids they held on tight to the man, and although he continued to struggle with them in the water, they managed to placate him and get him back to the riverbank.  

The man was then taken from the water and brought to University Hospital Galway by ambulance, for medical assessment. 

For their actions, Garda Aiden McTigue and Inspector Brendan O’Grady will each be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery.