A woman who was dragged into a river and under a culvert when her dog fell into a river in Dublin has said the gardaí who carried her out had saved her life.
Ann Lam from Clondalkin thanked the gardaí who received commendations for their courage today.
The mother-of-six was out walking her dog in Knockmitten Park near her home last Wednesday week, when her dog Millie stopped to sniff grass and fell into the river.
The river was flooded, the current was strong, and Ann was dragged into the water.
She was taken down into the culvert, which runs under the M50, and although she managed to get her hand on to a wall, she said she kept slipping under the water and began to get tired.
Alan Fleming was also in the park with his dog and grandson, and saw Ann disappear. He looked for her and saw her in the culvert and rang 999.
He then sent four-year-old Evan to the gate, who brought the gardaí to the scene, while Alan stayed talking to Ann.
Three gardaí arrived. Garda Ciaran Murray and Garda Brendan Crawford tied a rope around themselves, which was then secured by Garda Ciara Galvin.
The two men went into the culvert where the water was up to their waists. The rope was not long enough and Gda Galvin had to let it go.
Gda Murray and Gda Crawford tied the rope around Ms Lam and carried her out.
Gda Crawford, who does not like water or dogs because of bad experiences as a child, rescued Millie the Labrador.
The three gardaí, Mr Fleming and his grandson Evan, all today received commendations for rescuing Ann and her dog Millie.
The rescue took place on the same day Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead in Roscommon.
Chief Superintendent Finbar Murphy said the act was a tribute to him and an example of the courage and bravery of all gardaí.
Clondalkin Gardaí Brendan Crawford, Ciaran Murray and Ciara Galvin today received 'Certificates of Commendation with Distinction for Excellent Police Work' from Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy following the rescue of local woman Ann Lam and her dog Millie from the River Camac pic.twitter.com/mDuxe1lKdT
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) June 26, 2020
Ms Lam said she does not know what would have happened had the gardaí not arrived when they did.
She also say she will continue to walk Millie in the park, but does not plan to go as near to the water in future.
