Man (70s) thanks heroic gardai for saving his life after he almost drowned in Galway

On Thursday, September 19, Killian Kelly got into difficulty in Dunguaire, Kinvara.

A man who almost drowned in Galway has thanked two heroic gardaí for saving his life.

On Thursday, September 19, Killian Kelly got into difficulty in Dunguaire, Kinvara. Mr Kelly, who is in his 70s, trapped his left foot in a rock while out on a walk and the tide began to come in rapidly.

He said the tide “rose so fast” that the water went right up to his chin. When Garda Randal Considine and Garda Shane Riddell were called to the scene, only Mr Kelly’s head was visible.

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Garda Riddle ran to grab a life buoy while Garda Considine swam out to Mr Kelly, and they saved his life. Emergency services then tended to him, and he made a full recovery.

At a ceremony today, the two gardaí were awarded with commendations with distinction for saving Mr Kelly. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kelly thanked the gardaí for their fast response, saying: “Had it not been for you, I wouldn’t be here.

"The tide rose so fast, I could feel it coming up to my shoulders, then I could feel it coming to my chin. Randal, after going down to release my boot from the rocks, swam me back to shore. It was heroic. Had it been two minutes later, chances are it would be a different story.”

Garda Considine said he “got a shock” when all he could see was Mr Kelly’s head above the water. He said: “We’re glad we got there in time. We’re happy to have got you out and safely back to your family.”

Garda Riddell added that it was “the right place, right time”. Superintendent Ollie Baker said management is in “total admiration” of the gardaí’s response.

He added: “They just acted on instinct and it is a real testament to them; everything they did was phenomenal. It gives me great comfort that we have members of that calibre working in our area and responding and understanding the need to have an immediate response.

"It was a real team effort and it must have been a frightening, shocking and exhilarating experience all at the same time.”

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