National Bravery Award for Ciaran Murray - son of 1992 All-Ireland winner Brian

Garda Ciaran Murray, the son of 1992 All-Ireland winner Brian, was today one of those presented with a National Bravery Award.

The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, presented the awards, which are given to individuals who risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Sixteen National Bravery Awards in all were given to individuals today. The ceremony at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, brought recipients together and the efforts of Garda Murray and his colleague Garda Brendan Crawford were each awarded a Bronze Medal.

On the morning of 17 June 2020 a woman was walking her dog on a harness lead near the Camac river. The dog fell into the water near a culvert running under the M50 motorway and pulled its owner in too.

There had been very heavy rain in the previous days and the water level was high. The current was so strong that the lady and her dog were swept into the tunnel. When Gardaí arrived the woman was too far down the tunnel to be seen but could be heard crying for help. The Gardaí took ropes from their car and entered the water. The woman was located about 50 feet into the tunnel which was too far for their rope.

Garda Murray and Garda Brendan Crawford continued through the water and managed to get to the woman who had held onto her dog which was struggling causing her to sink under the water. Garda Crawford took hold of the dog and both he and Garda Murray assisted the lady out of the tunnel and eventually brought her back through the waters. Despite being barely able to speak from the cold and shock, the lady made a full recovery.”

Brian Murray from Ballyshannon, who played originally for Aodh Ruadh, was part of the Donegal side who won the 1992 All-Ireland defeating Dublin 0-18 to 0-14, although was lining out for Civil Service then.

He retired last year from An Garda Siochana after 36 years service, mainly based out of Kilmainham in Dublin.

The annual honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – which was founded 75 years ago in 1947 to enable State recognition of exceptional Acts of Bravery.

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“On behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank the brave recipients for their actions, for their selflessness, for their courage and for showing us that we can all make a difference on this island we share and in this world we walk together.” the Ceann Comhairle said.