'Heroes' prevent Limerick village from being 'blown to kingdom come'
THREE men have been hailed as "heroes" after preventing half of Ballyneety being "blown to kingdom come".
The drama occurred over the festive period when flames started to come out of the bonnet of a female motorist’s car.
As she was driving through Ballyneety she pulled into Elm Court Service Station. Proprietor, Aideen Fitzpatrick, said unfortunately she pulled in "practically" on top of the fuel pumps.
A garda on patrol in Ballyneety and two passing motorists also lent their assistance as they could see the dangerous situation unfolding.
"Philip Purcell from Ballyneety was passing on his motorbike and decided to turn back. Another driver pulled in – I can’t see who it was from the camera. Between the two of them and the garda they decided to open the driver's door, took off the handbrake and pushed it away from the pumps. It was very brave. They saw the potential of the whole village going up in flames," said Aideen, who rushed back from supporting South Liberties GAA Club road hurling event.
Aideen wishes to thank the three men and her staff for their "quick-thinking" on the morning of Monday, December 27. She also thanked Limerick Fire and Rescue Service and local garda, Graham O’Connell, for responding so quickly and dealing with the situation.
"The most important thing is nobody was hurt," said Aideen.
One local told the Leader the three men were "heroes" for moving the car.
"If the car exploded while it was beside the pumps then half of Ballyneety would have been blown to kingdom come," they said.