Gardaí receive bravery award for saving man who had 'doused himself in petrol'
The National Bravery Awards 2024 held in Farmleigh House in Dublin on November 8.
The National Bravery Awards 2024 held in Farmleigh House in Dublin on November 8.
Pictured above is Sergeant Cyril Meehan retired Garda Liam Fitzpatrick and Garda Seamus Ronan, who were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery for their actions at the National Bravery Awards 2024.
The citation detailed: "Gardaí responded to reports of a distressed man on the Quay in Waterford. The man had doused himself in petrol and was threatening to set himself on fire.
"After attempts to calm the man had been unsuccessful, the man tried to strike his cigarette lighter and the Garda members decided they had to intervene.
"Despite the significant risk they faced, they rushed him as a group to prevent him from serious harm. He made several attempts to ignite the lighter but the gardaí, now soaked in petrol themselves, struggled with him and managed to grab the lighter from his hand before subduing him safely.
"The man was later taken to hospital where he was treated and placed under observation. For their actions, Garda Seamus Ronan, Garda Liam Fitzpatrick, Garda Conor Lucey and Sergeant Cyril Meehan were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery."