Kildare man who died in rescue attempt is hailed a hero

A Kildare man who died while trying to save another man has been hailed a hero. 

James Nicholl Jnr, who was from Brownstown and also lived in Portarlington, is understood to have jumped into the River Liffey in Dublin in an attempt to save a man who was drowning on Friday, April 8.

Tragically, both he and the man who he was trying to save died during the incident.  

A former member of the Defence Forces, Mr Nicholl was laid to rest in St Conleth’s Cemetery in Newbridge following funeral mass in St Brigid’s Church in The Curragh on Monday, April 17.

Independent TD and former member of the Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing, Cathal Berry praised the actions of Mr Nicholl. He described his death as “a terrible tragedy” and offered his deepest sympathy to the family. 

“He answered with courage at the very end and that is what he should be remembered for,” said Deputy Berry. 

The Defence Forces confirmed Mr Nicholl, who was in his 40s,  had served in The Curragh between 2000 and 2002. 

“James deserves to be hailed a Hero for diving into the freezing cold river to save a random man's life that was drowning last Friday night in the Liffey in Dublin, he didn't hesitate to dive in and try help the poor soul in the water, he jumped straight in and in doing so he lost his life trying to save another humans life,” Dublin based homeless charity A Lending Hand posted on their Facebook page alongside a picture of James. 

“He dived straight into the Liffey to save him, the current was too strong and the water was too cold, he got to the fella and tried to pull him up a few times and unfortunately the last attempt failed and poor Jimmy and this poor soul got dragged under the water and both of them died,” the charity said.   

Gardai said enquiries are ongoing following the incident and files are being prepared for the coroner. 

“At approximately 1:30am on Saturday 8th April 2023, Gardaí received a report that one male had entered the water at Grattan Bridge followed by another male who was attempting to assist,” they stated. 

“Despite an extensive search conducted by Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade, the males could not be located,” they said. 

“The bodies of two males (aged in their 20s and 40s) were recovered by Gardaí from the River Liffey on the morning of Saturday 8th April 2023,” Gardai said. 

Mr Nicholl, of The Glen, Kilnacourt Wood, Portarlington and late of Brownstown, The Curragh, Co Kildare is survived by his parents Noreen and Jimmy, siblings Carol, Deborah, Darren and Margaret, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, his partner Donna, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, extended family, relatives and friends.