Natural heroism: A lesson and an achievement

It is one of the reassuring things about being human that heroism, in all its many shapes and sizes, is all around us, waiting for the moment when nothing else will do, waiting for the critical moment when it above all else is needed.

That latent but forceful goodness, which is what heroism is after all, shone brightly in Cork City over the weekend when sisters Noreen, 82, and Eileen Naughton, 92, who had fallen victim to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, were rescued by an attentive and caring neighbour — Angela Marshall.

Had Ms Marshall not gone to check on two elderly but independent neighbours on Saturday morning while most of us were still in our beds, we would be marking an unfortunate tragedy rather than two remarkable recoveries.

Not only did Ms Marshall save two lives, she reminded us all of how important it is to play our part in making our neighbourhoods safe, welcoming, and supportive places for everyone who lives around us.

This objective is at the root of the thousands of neighbourhood watch schemes, but such basic human attentions and instincts hardly need to be formalised.

It is, after all, the kind of human attention, non-intrusive and at an arm’s length, we will all need at some stage or other.

Ms Marshall’s greatest achievement was saving two lives but that she reminded us all, as Christmas approaches, that even if we are not our brother’s keeper, we can be his supporter and lifeline.