Three Mayo people were honoured this week at the National Bravery Awards Ceremony at Leinster House.
David McGowan, of Ballina, was presented with the Silver Medal for Bravery for his heroism in rescuing a victim from drowning at Easkey, Co Sligo, on March 12 2007.
Garda Enda Hughes, a native of The Neale, was awarded a posthumous Certificate of Bravery for the rescue of a woman at Newry Bridge in Dundalk in the early hours of May 17, 2004. Garda Hughes, who later died tragically in an accident in Donegal, was stationed in Dundalk at the time. His proud father Patrick accepted the award from the Ceann Comhairle, Seamus Kirk TD.
The third Certificate of Bravery went to Garda John O’Reilly of Breaffy, Castlebar, who accompanied Garda Hughes in the Dundalk rescue. He is son of Sean and the late Mai O’Reilly of Breaffy.
Beverley Flynn TD who was in attendance at the ceremony said it was a great honour to have three Mayo recipients of the prestigious awards.
She added that it was a proud but sad occasion for the Hughes family and in particular for his father Patrick, sisters Geraldine, Claire, and Patricia, brothers Declan, Donal, Kieran, and Eoin, and his girlfriend Lisa O’Brien.
