On the morning of 27 July 2020, an ordinary working day in Galway turned into a remarkable testament to courage, instinct, and selfless service. The River Corrib, known as one of Ireland’s fastest-flowing and most unpredictable waterways, became the centre of a life-or-death struggle when a report came through of a man in distress near O’Brien’s Bridge.
From Mill Street Garda Station, Inspector Brendan O’Grady of Galway and Garda Aiden Mc Tigue of Mayo responded without delay, unaware that their actions in the minutes ahead would save a life and highlight the very essence of bravery in policing.
As Garda Mc Tigue arrived at the scene, the situation escalated with frightening speed. In full view, the distressed man deliberately entered the water, immediately being caught by the river’s fierce current. There was no time to plan, no opportunity to wait for specialist assistance. Acting on instinct and duty, Garda Mc Tigue plunged into the river after him, battling the powerful surge as he pushed towards the man struggling to stay afloat.
Against the odds, he managed to reach him, securing an initial grip and beginning the exhausting effort of guiding him towards the bank. Moments later, Inspector O’Grady arrived, carrying a lifebuoy. Wading into the perilous conditions, he worked with Garda Mc Tigue to hold the man steady, each of them fighting against the relentless pull of the Corrib. For a brief moment, it seemed they might be able to keep their position until emergency services arrived.
But the river had other plans. In a sudden and violent shift of current, all three were torn from their footing and swept back into deeper water, dragged downstream with alarming force. Still, neither Garda hesitated. Refusing to release their grip, they focused on calming the panicked man, reassuring him even as they themselves battled to stay above water. Stroke by determined stroke, they gradually regained control, guiding him inch by inch back towards safety.
Exhausted but unyielding, Inspector O’Grady and Garda Mc Tigue ultimately brought the man to shore, where he was transferred to University Hospital Galway for further care. Their actions that day were defined not only by courage but by compassion, swift judgement, and an unwavering commitment to protecting life.
For their extraordinary bravery and selfless conduct, Garda Aiden Mc Tigue and Inspector Brendan O’Grady were each awarded a Bronze Medal and a Certificate of Bravery—fitting honours for two officers who risked everything to save another.
At the same ceremony, a Mayoman was honoured for his bravery in rescuing a man from a canal in Galway city.
At lunch time, on Friday, 15 July 2022, Jonathan Monroe was walking near the Eglinton Canal in Galway City. He heard noises and splashing coming from the canal and saw a distressed man deep in the water. The man, who was mostly submerged, was going under, with only his head visible above the water. Without hesitation, Jonathan stripped off his clothing and dived into the canal in an attempt to rescue him.
Jonathan swam out to the man, who was now face down underwater and tried to turn him over to get his face up out of the canal. Although struggling to get the man turned onto his back, Jonathan managed to pull the man into a position where his head was out of the water and then swam with him towards the bank of the canal.
Other passersby had by now called for the Emergency Services to attend and another man on the canal bank assisted Jonathan to remove the male from the water. When they got him ashore, he was distressed but conscious and was attended to before being taken away to receive further treatment.
For his actions, Johnathan Monroe was awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery.
