LATEST; Kildare man gets bravery award for rescue of teen from house fire

The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, today presented 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Retired RTÉ Presenter, Joe Duffy was the MC for the ceremony. 

 This year’s ceremony included the awarding of two certificates, fifteen Bronze Medals and four Silver Medals with the Gold award being posthumously presented to Callaghan O’Keeffe’s family. 11-year-old Carla Murphy is this year’s youngest recipient, receiving a silver medal for her courageous act of Bravery.

Baltinglass man Nigel Cullen has been honoured with a national bravery award after he rescued a young man from a burning house in Co. Kildare.

When a fire started on the deck of a house at Narraghmore, Co Kildare on the afternoon of 23 March 2024, the back of the house was quickly engulfed in flames. 

The homeowners were outside cleaning their car but when they looked back at the house, they could see flames and began to panic.

They had just brought their 17-year-old son back from work and he was nowhere to be seen. Nigel Cullen was passing by and on seeing the fire he took the decision to brave the flames and entered the burning house to look for the young man. 

Nigel made his way through the house calling out for the man. However, the young man was taking a shower after work and it was only when the flames cut the electricity and stopped the shower, that he could hear Nigel calling for him.  

Nigel managed to get the young man safely out of the house, but on realising that there was another teenage brother missing he went back in again. Fortunately, the other boy was not in the house, which was extensively damaged by the fire.  

Nigel was later treated in hospital for a burn to his leg, smoke inhalation and some minor injuries. 

For his actions, Nigel  is awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery. 

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Speaking to guests at the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said:

“We don’t all find ourselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, as some of our recipients have done. But every day we each have a chance to make a difference, by listening, supporting or just being there for someone when they need us. 

"It is also a significant day for all those who will see, or hear, or read about these brave deeds and feel better to know there are still good things being done, by good people.To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness and for your courage. 

"What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and gives hope to us all for the road ahead.”

Recipients from counties Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal, Waterford, Cork and Cavan were among those honoured at the ceremony in Leinster House.