Daingean's Ciara hailed for her part in dramatic river rescue

Photo: Daingean Gda Ciara Galvin on the right, pictured with her colleagues Gda Brendan Crawford and Gda Ciaran Murray after receiving their certificates of commendation recently.

An Offaly garda has spoken of her shock and joy after she was officially recognised for her part in a dramatic river rescue in Dublin last week.

Garda Ciara Galvin from Daingean, along with her colleagues Garda Brendan Crawford, and Garda Ciaran Murray, received ‘Certificates of Commendation with Distinction for Excellent Police Work’ from Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy on Friday last after saving local woman Ann Lamb and her dog Millie from the flooded River Camac.

The story, which captivated listeners to RTE Radio 1's 'Liveline' programme last week, heard that Ann's dog Millie jumped into the waterway while out for a walk, dragging its owner in afterwards in Knockmitten Park in Clondalkin.

The alarm was subsequently raised by grandfather Alan Fleming who Ann had just passed in the park. He later realised she had been dragged into the flooded river which flows into a dark tunnel, hearing her screams.

With the help of his young grandson Evan Fleming (4), he contacted Clondalkin Garda Station and the youngster stood out in the park to show them where they needed to go.

The dog was on Ann's shoulders by the time they arrived dragging her down, but thankfully their quick actions getting into the water to take the dog out, and getting a rope out to Ann saved her life.

“To see someone fighting for their life was a bit of shock but, thankfully, we're here today with Ann and the lads, and she is walking around with the dog. It could have been a different story but I'm so glad it's not,” Ciara, who plays club football for Naomh Molaise, said in a video posted on the An Garda Síochána Facebook page on June 26 following the presentation of the certificate of commendation.

The event saw Ciara, and her colleagues reunited with Ann Lamb and the other heroes of the story, Alan Fleming and his grandson, Evan, who also were also rightly praised for their quick thinking actions.

Back home, there was plenty of pride too for Ciara's part in the good news story, with her club Naomh Molaise saying on Facebook: “To say we are proud would be an understatement. Ciara Galvin has once again showed us all what a great role model she is on and off the field. This time it was in the line of duty helping her colleagues rescue a woman from a river. We will be hoping she comes to our aid when championship returns. Ciara is a credit to her family and community. We're glad she's one of ours”.

Ciara, who is a member of the Offaly Intermediate Ladies Football panel, was also hailed by Offaly LGFA.

“Congratulations to Garda Ciara Galvin who is being rightly hailed as a hero today after rescuing a lady from drowning while on duty in Dublin”.

Clara LGFA also extended their congratulations to Gda Ciara Galvin for her part in the dramatic rescue.

Meanwhile, another Offaly garda, Niall Minnock received a bravery award last week from the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Tom Brabazon for his role in disarming a person with a gun in Ballymun last year.