Two members of the Gardai from County Wicklow have been hailed as heroes following their lifesaving actions last Thursday night in Dublin.
Garda Dean Gahan from Rathdrum and Garda Steven Carton from Bray who are attached to Dún Laoghaire Garda Station responded to reports of a large fire at a residence in Monkstown.
They promptly arrived to the scene, and observed flames and thick smoke emanating from the residence.
When pair became aware of a person in the basement of this residence, they forced open a hall door to enter the burning building and brought a female resident (aged in her 20s) to safety.
They then re-entered the residence to search for others inside and located a man in his 70s at the rear of the property and also took him to safety.
The man was taken to St Vincent’s University Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation where he is expected to make a full recovery.
As the fire further took hold, both Gardaí evacuated occupants of the adjoining residences and a mews property located nearby.
Gardaí Gahan and Garda Carton – who is a probationary Garda and passed out of our Garda College less than one year ago – showed immense bravery entering a very dangerous situation and putting fears for their own personal safety aside to assist others.
Yet, we know that this is just one fitting example of the kind of courage exhibited every day by the dedicated members of An Garda Síochána working nationwide to keep people safe.
