A 16-year-old youth is recovering in Limerick Regional Hospital after being saved from drowning by a garda who jumped into the Shannon and pulled him from the current.
Garda Gerry Cleary (31), who joined the force 12 months ago, was told there was a man face down in the water. "I thought at first he was dead," said Garda Cleary, "but when I saw bubbles I knew he was alive".
He plunged into the river holding a rope to prevent him from being taken away by the current. Two other members of the force, Garda John Forde and Garda Pat Butler, helped him recover the youth who was unconscious.
Garda Cleary, a native of Ardcroney, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, said: "The water was freezing but I escaped lightly, having hit my elbow off the wall and suffered rope burns on the hands."