Tullamore garda hailed after Mullingar lake rescue

An Offaly garda is being tipped for a commendation this week after her part in the dramatic rescue of a man from Lough Owel in Co Westmeath.

Garda Claire Davis and her colleague Garda Nora Cloherty, together with Mullingar Sailing Club members Kieran Milner and Pat McArdle used a speedboat to rush to the aid of a man who had entered the water at a popular swimming and diving spot at Portnashangan, a couple of miles out of Mullingar town on the main N4 Mullingar to Sligo road.

The four succeeded in bringing the man to shore at the diving board where crews from the Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service were in attendance, and the man was brought to the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar for treatment.

Garda Davis, who is originally from Tullamore, has been attached to Mullingar Garda Station for the past eight years.

A garda spokesperson said on Monday that the two gardaí involved in the rescue will be nominated for commendation: "It’s a clear example of excellent policework but they will definitely be receiving a commendation for their excellent work: by their actions, a man’s life has been saved: you can’t ask any more of a member of An Garda Siochána than that."

The garda spokesperson also paid tribute to all involved in the action: "Through the assistance of The Sailing Club, the fire units, local water safety services – all the stakeholders came together, especially The Sailing Club and it was through this that they were able to assist us in bringing this to a conclusion."

Kieran Milner of Mullingar Sailing Club revealed that from the time the call asking for the help of the Sailing Club was received to delivery of the man back to shore, just 25 minutes had elapsed.