Garda receives award for bravery after saving man, 86, from blaze

A 53-YEAR-OLD garda has been presented with a bravery award for rescuing an octogenarian from a blazing house.

Garda Michael O’Sullivan was on duty on the morning of February 4, 2010, when he was notified of a fire at the home of Michael Curtin at Stagmount, Rockchapel, Co Cork.

He took two fire extinguishers from Newmarket Garda Station and drove to Mr Curtin’s house.

A district nurse who spotted the fire told the officer that Mr Curtin, 86, was likely to be inside.

Assistant Commissioner Willie Keane said yesterday without any thought for his own safety, Garda O’Sullivan went into the blazing building, which was thick with smoke and discovered Mr Curtin lying on the floor of a front room.

Assistant Commissioner Keane said the garda carried the elderly man into the care of an ambulance crew.

Mr Curtin was rushed to Mallow General Hospital where, at first, his condition improved.

“I really regret though that his condition then deteriorated and he died of complications, mainly due to smoke inhalation, 13 days later,” Garda O’Sullivan said yesterday. He knew the elderly man well, being a frequent caller and often checking on his welfare as Mr Curtin lived alone in an isolated area.

It is believed the blaze started accidentally while Mr Curtin was trying to light a fire with kindling.

Assistant Commissioner Keane presented Garda O’Sullivan yesterday with a first class commendation Scott Medal certificate for bravery, signed by Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

Assistant Comm Keane said: “Our primary function (in the gardaí) is to protect life and property and we have lost a good number of our members who have paid the ultimate price.

“The expectation of the community is that we’ll be there in their hour of need and that is what Michael did gallantly. We all regret that Mr Curtin died later.”

Garda O’Sullivan, a native of Kenmare, Co Kerry, is stationed in Meelin, Co Cork. He was accompanied to the ceremony at Anglesea Street Garda Station by his wife Sheila.

A number of colleagues congratulated him at the function.

They included Chief Superintendent Tom Hayes, in charge of the Cork West Garda Division; Detective Superintendent Sean Healy (Anglesea Street), Inspector Declan O’Sullivan (Kanturk) and Sergeant Dan Murphy (Newmarket).