Garda honour for Mullingar man who rescued baby from canal
A young Mullingar man who helped rescue a seven-month old baby from the Royal Canal in Mullingar received a Special Recognition Award last week at the annual National Garda Youth Awards which recognise exceptional young people aged 13-21 who have positively contributed to their community.
Tyrone Donoghue was hailed a hero for his quick thinking and bravery after the incident, which occurred in March of this year, when a buggy with a baby girl inside slipped from the child's mother's grip and rolled into the canal.
"I was on the Carey Bridge, and I heard a scream and looked and saw the buggy in the water, so I ran down, and as soon as I got there, I could see that it was getting deeper into the water," says Tyrone, 21, who has a now 16-month old daughter himself, Mya Donoghue.
It was at that point that he realised how critical it was: the baby girl strapped into the buggy was screaming, and her mother was terrified, and it was clear that the baby was in grave danger.
Instinct prompted Tyrone to get straight into the canal - even though he isn't a swimmer - and he succeeded in holding the buggy up in the water, preventing the child from breathing in water.
Once he had helped mother and baby get back to safety, Tyrone quickly noticed that the baby was shivering, and he dashed to his own house, which is nearby, to get some of his own daughter's clothes for the child.
Modest about the part he played, Tyrone says he is only delighted that he was in the right place at the right time, and so able to help.
Stated the Garda citation: "Tyrone’s actions may well have saved a life on that fateful day. He is a shining example and role model to his community in Mullingar."
Tyrone, along with 23 other young people being honoured, received his award from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at an event at The Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise.
At the function, the Assistant Commissioner for Road Safety and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman said young people often don’t get enough credit for the variety of challenges they face in today’s society and particularly for how they respond to the difficulties they encounter, but they support one another and help their communities with great enthusiasm.
"Each one of this year’s recipients demonstrate all that is wonderful about our young people, and as Gardaí we are so proud of their hard work. We hope the Garda National Youth Awards are a fitting acknowledgement of the positive and meaningful contribution that these young people are making to society.”