County Limerick man braves crocodile and snake infested flood waters to save animals

CASTLECONNELL in County Limerick has been hit by flooding in recent years but when the Shannon bursts its banks at least it isn’t full of snakes and crocs!

Thomas Foley, aged 31, from Lisnagry, has been hailed as a hero in Australia for his role in saving animals during the floods in North Queensland.

“The news make it sound unreal but anyone would have done what I did,” Thomas told the Limerick Leader this Friday.

Thousands of homes have been damaged. Crocodiles and snakes were spotted in the rising water.

Thomas lives in Townsville with his Australian partner, Emma Perry. It was one of the areas worst hit by the unprecedented rainfall. 

They were forced to leave their home on Saturday following warnings. The managed to get their dogs into their jeep but kitten Lola hid. As the water was rising fast they had to flee.

A photo Thomas sent the Leader shows that the street is like a river when they were evacuating. Once they were safe, Thomas and a friend got in a canoe and headed back to save Lola.

The rescue took hours due to the strength of the current. They had to push the canoe not knowing what was underneath the water and what they could be stepping on. Thomas joked that he pretended he was in the Shannon! 

If saving one animal wasn’t enough, the Lisnagry man then helped another friend save his dog. They successfully rescued the Collie, again wading through high waters.

Thomas work as a heavy machine driver. He and Emma also own a small consulting and coaching business called Run it Pro. They are supporting rebuilding efforts as well as cleaning-up their own flood damaged house after they were able to return to it on Monday.

“The clean is slow and steady but getting there,” said Thomas, who is pictured wearing his Limerick hurling jersey while he gets on with it.