Bravery of garda inspector injured in Limerick road collision inspires €20k cheque for charity

THE WIFE and colleagues of a Limerick-based garda inspector who seriously injured in a collision have raised over €20,000, and counting, to support those who helped save his life.

Inspector Niall Flood was taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) by air ambulance after he was involved in a road traffic collision while cycling in Dromcollogher in June last year.

This is the third year his wife Margaret Flood has embarked on the 100 Day Walking Challenge for a good cause. There was only ever going to be one beneficiary of this year’s donation - Critical Charity, Ireland’s biggest critical and advanced volunteer doctor and emergency medical responder charity. The speed with which Insp Flood, based in Newcastle West, was flown to CUH was crucial in saving his life.

“We will forever be indebted to the Critical Emergency Response Charity. We’re grateful we got a second chance at life as it was touch and go,” said Margaret, a native of Scartaglen in County Kerry.

“I get strength from Niall. He never once asked why did this happen to me. He says he is just grateful to be alive and it wasn’t his time. He gets up in the morning with a positive attitude. He has kept us all going - he is inspirational,” said Margaret, co-ordinator of the ASD unit in Desmond College and Coláiste in Newcastle West.

Insp Flood was discharged from hospital the day before Christmas Eve and spent time at home. He is currently being fitted for a prosthetic leg in the Polar Unit, Mercy Hospital in Cork. The experienced garda, who served in east and west Limerick and the city, is progressing well in St Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West, where currently as an inpatient in the rehabilitation unit he is undertaking intensive physiotherapy for his injuries.

Margaret (pictured below) and their beloved rescue dog Toby, a Yorkie adopted from Limerick Animal Welfare, began their 100 days of walking in Ballybunion on January 1 and didn’t miss one day, ending 100 days later on Easter Monday in Ballybunion. Insp Flood often joined Margaret and Toby in his wheelchair on the Limerick Greenway to help build up his upper body strength.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world - walking in all weathers - wet days, bad days, cold days. I posted a photo from each walk on my Instagram and Facebook pages ” said Margaret, who presented a cheque for €12,250 from the fundraiser to the charity last week in Rathcoole, County Cork.

Garda colleagues in Newcastle West - Detective Garda Jerry O’Sullivan and Garda Eric O’Shea - organised a golf classic for the charity. The event in Newcastle West Golf Club last month raised €8,000 and counting.

Garda O’Shea said the response to the golf classic demonstrates the esteem that Insp Flood is held within An Garda Siochana and the local community.

“We got a great response from everybody. The people of Newcastle West were great. Gearoid Whelan, of Whelan’s bar and Seamus Hunt, of Hunt Office Supplies were our main sponsors. We had 44 teams of four. There were garda teams from Limerick as well as Cork, Laois and six teams from Dublin. Niall has served in numerous stations around the country. Obviously he has left an impression wherever he has served judging by the amount of guards coming from Dublin alone. It reflects the esteem that Niall is held in,” said Garda O’Shea.

Currently, the figure raised from the golf classic is €8,000 but Garda O’Shea says people are still donating so he hopes to get close to the €10,000 mark for Critical Charity.

The Floods are very thankful for all those who came to Niall’s aid on the night of the collision - the civilians who came on the scene, paramedics, air ambulance, fire service and gardai.

They are also forever grateful to the staff in CUH, Mercy Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and St Ita’s Hospital “who go to work every day doing their job but it is beyond a job, it is an elevated vocation,” said Margaret. She also thanked Brú Columbanus - home from home accommodation for families of patients in Cork hospitals.

TV chef abseils off Limerick's Thomond Park for a worthy cause

Both their families in Roscommon and Kerry, friends, neighbours and colleagues have also been a tremendous support during this challenging time, said Margaret.

She set a target of €3,000, which she thought was optimistic, but she raised four times that between online and offline donations.

“Desmond College and Coláiste did a colours day and raised over €1,000. The school community were so good. It’s incredible. Former colleagues at Castletroy College also donated as well as students from Colaiste Mhichíl, CBS Sexton Street who were moved by Niall’s story. Local cycling clubs also contributed to the charity walk.

“There are people I don’t even know who gave €5 and €10. People are so generous and we appreciate all their support during this very challenging time,” said Margaret.