A homelss man who took part in a dramatic rescue of a bus driver from the River Liffey was yesterday jailed for 12 months for a number of public order and criminal damage offences.
Tony Paget (26) was given an award for his bravery in climbing into the bus after it had crashed through a bridge wall.
Along with another man who was also passing by, they managed to pull the unconscious driver to safety.
Yesterday, Paget was sentenced to a total of 12 months' imprisonment for more than a dozen offences committed before the bus rescue.
Dublin District Court heard the charges were for breach of the peace, criminal damage, drunkenness and failing to turn up in court.
His lawyer said he accepted that he was facing a prison sentence and asked the court to deal with him as leniently as possible.
Judge James Scally said it was quite clear from probation reports on Paget that the offences were largely related to alcohol abuse. "You have shown some very fine qualities and you have not had it easy as a young person."
However, there were a very large number of offences and he had no alternative but to impose a prison sentence.
The court heard that he was on remand in custody in relation to other offences which will be dealt with in the Circuit Court.
He was not receiving any treatment for his alcohol problem in prison.
Judge Scally recommended that he be given treatment. He told him: "You have always been the perfect gentleman when you are in here \."