Brave gardaí and fire crew save two in high-risk river rescue in Kilkenny

The brave efforts of gardai and the firebrigade saved two lives in a dramatic, night-time rescue from the River Barrow in Graignamanagh, at the weekend.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, November 27,  members of  An Garda Síochána  and the Fire Service carried out a river rescue in the River Barrow when two people entered the water and had to be to evacuated.

At 1.30am An Garda Síochána were advised that initially one person had jumped into the River Barrow from the Graignamanagh Bridge. Gardai immediately responded, arriving within seconds and learned that a 22-year-old female had jumped from the bridge a short time before and was nowhere to be found.

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The river was in full flood and Garda commenced a search.  While doing so it was learned that there may be a second person in the river, a 32 year old man.  When Gardai went to the Graignamanagh side of the river, they found a woman on the bank shouting out to a male clinging to a tree hanging over the river. The reach of the lifebuoy was not far enough and the man was only hanging on against a strong current

Meanwhile additional gardai arrived.  Sergeant John O’Sullivan, Thomastown, and Garda Kevin Fitzpatrick, Thomastown, both entered the water and with the aid of the lifebuoy were able to get it around this man. With the aid of the local firebrigade and Michael Doyle, Fire Station Officer, Graignamanagh, who also entered water, all three were safely brought from the river. 

A number of bystanders also offered support to the emergency services.

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While this rescue was going on it was learned that other Fire Brigade members had located and rescued the female. 

Both the male and female were later removed to hospital for treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.

This is a fantastic example of bravery by all members of An Garda Síochána and Fire Brigade in saving two lives in a high risk situation. 

Pictures: Tree-mendous festival treats in store at St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny

Click to see pics!

Superintendent Anthony Farrell, Thomastown, applauded all those involved in the rescue for their actions.  “Sergeant John O’ Sullivan, Thomastown, Garda Kevin Fitzpatrick, Thomastown, and Mr Michael Doyle, Fire Station Officer, Graignamanagh entered freezing cold water in darkness when the River Barrow was in flood.  Two persons lives were saved in a situation at this time of year that ordinarily does not have a positive outcome.  This is a happy story and speaks for itself the lengths that members of An Garda Síochána and the Fire Service will go to keep people safe, at any time day or night.  I cannot speak enough about the bravery shown by these three men.  We are all immensely proud.”