Limerick GAA star in brave river rescue attempt in Cork

BRAVE Limerick football goalkeeper Josh Ryan put his own life on the line when he dove into a large, fast-flowing river to come to the aid of a man who had gotten into difficulty.

The serving garda was one of the emergency services to rush to the scene in Mallow, County Cork on Wednesday evening at around 7pm.

It is understood that Garda Ryan immediately entered the River Blackwater, alongside a firefighter, and swam towards the stricken man.

They had to swim for quite a distance to reach the man, who it is understood had gone under the water.

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Garda Ryan, from Oola, and the firefighter brought the man to the riverbank and immediately began emergency first aid. It is believed the garda and the firefighter were in the water for some 20 minutes during the.

Tragically, the man, aged in his 30s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

A garda spokesperson confirmed that gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a drowning incident at Dysart, Dromagh, Mallow, County Cork. 

“One male, aged in his 30s, was recovered from the water and his body will be removed to Cork University Hospital Mortuary where a post mortem will take place in due course.

“A file will be prepared for the Coroner's Court,” said a garda spokesperson.