First
Name
Garda Maurice
Last
Name
Barry
Mr
Jim
Dempsey Wicklow
Mr
Colm
Quish
Limerick
Mr
Mark
Flynn
Clare
Mr
Mr
Norman
Thomas
Cleary
Clare
Thompson Galway
Mr
Alimzhan Nabiulin
Title
Mr
Daniel
Garda Noel
Ivers
Purcell
County
Garda
Cavan
Cavan
Wexford
Notes
JIT - On the 12th of May 2009 at Kilountain, Garda Maurice Barry saved the life of a male who got into difficulty in the
river. After rescuing the man from the river Maurice proceeded to give him Basic Life support and the man regained
consciousness. If it were not for the swift reaction of Garda Maurice Barry a tragedy would definitely occurred.
JIT - On the evening of the 23rd January 2003 at Avoca River - A person got into difficulty after falling into the water
and was taken down the river by the swift tide. Mr Jim Dempsey heard a cry for help while out walking alongside the
river and he observed a body in the river. Without any hesitation Jim Dempsey entered the river and rescued the
person in distress.
JIT - In June of 2009 at Lahinch beach Colm Quish was surfing with friends when he observed a man who had got into
difficulty while swimming. Colm immediately went to the man’s assistance and swam with him a considerable distance
back to shore. He continued to carry the man up from the water to the shore, placed him in the recovery position and
stayed with him until an emergency services arrived.
JIT - On the evening of the 30th July 2009 at Spanish Point, Co. Clare four swimmers got caught in a rip and were
carried out into the middle of the beach. They were out of their depth. Mark Flynn borrowed a surfboard and entered
the water. He then took two casualties to shore. With the help of a passing surfer the third person was encouraged
back to shore safety. Both Norman Cleary and Mark Flynn entered the water and continued to search for the fourth
person, Mark felt him under the water and with Normans help they placed him onto a surfboard and took him back to
shore where he regained consciousness.
JIT - 30th July 2009 as above
JIT -on the 25th September 2008 at Spanish Point, Co. Clare, Emily Luff(Seiko Cert of Courage) aged 10 and her
sister were out bathing at knee depth when they got caught in a RIP current which pulled them out to sea beyond the
surf break. Thomas Thompson and Peter Bradbury(Rescue Appreciation) heard calls for help from the beach; they ran
onto the beach to assist the two girls. Upon assessing the situation - Peter Bradbury called the coast guard. Thomas
Thompson paddled out to reach them on his surfboard. Meanwhile Peter stayed with the mother of the children. Due to
poor light Thomas could not see the children however he heard their shouts for help and went to their assistance. Upon
reaching them he reassured them and with the use of his surfboard he brought them safely to back to shore.
JIT - On the 10th July 2009 at Swellan lake, Co. Cavan two males got into difficulty after falling from a raft. Daniel
observed the two boys in difficulty and without hesitation went to the boy’s assistance. Daniel managed to locate one of
the boys and brought him to safety. He stayed with the boy until emergency services arrived. Meanwhile Alimzhan
Nabiulin observed the other boy in the water and quickly went to his assistance and brought him to safety shore
averting a tragedy.
JIT - 10/07/2009 as above
JIT - On the bitter cold night of the 17th January 2008 - at Courttown Harbour both Garda Noel Purcell and Garda Paul
Buckley observed a man in difficulty in the water. Without hesitation Garda Noel Purcell jumped into the water to assist
the man. Garda Paul Buckley threw a ringbuoy and pulled him towards the rocks. The man was in great distress so
Title
First
Name
Last
Name
County
Garda Paul
Ms
Nadine
Buckley
Sheridan
Wexford
Laois
Ms
Mr
Jo
Martin
Kingston
Scallan
Kilanerin
Wexford
Mr
Ms
Adrian
Sharon
Martin
McNern
Wexford
Donegal
Mr
Agris
Jankovics Louth
Notes
then Garda Purcell jumped into the water with the help of Garda Buckley bought the man to safety.
JIT - 17/01/2008as above
JIT - On the 21st September 2008 at Courtown North beach Nadine Sheridan & Jo Kingston observed a swimmer lying
face down in the water. Without hesitation Nadine entered the water to rescue the woman, Jo Kingston who was six
months pregnant at the time ran to get a ringbuoy before entering the water. She then reached both the woman and
Nadine and helped to take her to shore. Jo performed basic life support on the woman. The woman was then taken to
hospital where she made a full recovery. If it were not for the swift reaction of both Jo and Nadine a tragedy with most
definitely have occurred
JIT - 21/09/2008 - as above
JIT - 26/01/2009 - On a bitter cold day of the 26th January 2009 at Wexford Quay both Martin Scallan and Adrian
Martin were in a boat when they heard a splash in the water. They reacted without haste and approached the area
were the woman had entered the water. Martin Scallan entered the water and held onto the lady with the help of Adrian
Martin until Garda Declan Dennehy arrived and he helped to lift the woman back up onto the quay where she was
transferred to hospital by ambulance.
JIT - 26/01/2009 - as above
JIT - On the 6th July 2009 at Beach Glen Colmcille - Sharon McNern age 13 yrs observed a boy in difficulty in the
water. Without any hesitation Sharon entered the water, she reached the boy and held onto him and swam inshore for
a while when suddenly they started being pushed towards the rocks. Another person entered the water to help but
ended up out of his depth - Sharon held onto the other person while telling the boy to kick his legs. A tourist observed
the people in distress and entered the water he managed to reach the man and swam to shore with the him. Sharon
also swam with the boy until they reached the shore. If it was not for the swift and brave actions of Sharon McNern a
tragedy would have occurred.
nd
JIT – On the 22 June 2009 at Wellington Quay at the River Boyne. Mr Agris Jankovics heard the screams of a lady
and two children calling for help as a man had fallen into the water. Without any hesitation Agris entered the water and
went to the assistance of the man and brought him to safety. If it were not for the quick actions of Mr Agris Jankovics a
tragedy would have occurred.