Garda to get Bravery medal

More than 55 years after risking his life to save a drowning fisherman on Lough Sheelin, Detective Garda Jim Reynolds will receive a posthumous Silver Medal from Comhairle na Míre Gaile.

The Deeds of Bravery Council award recognises acts of courage that might otherwise be lost to history - as this one had - were it not for the persistence of a lifelong friend of the late Det Gda Reynolds, and an article published on the front page of The Anglo-Celt at the time.

Det Reynolds, who died in December 2019, will be honoured at the national Deeds of Bravery awards ceremony come November, after an extraordinary effort by his community to ensure his actions finally receive official recognition.

Perhaps the most remarkable detail of all, Det Reynold's son Seán reveals, is that despite growing up on the shores of Lough Sheelin, his father never properly learned to swim.

“Not a stroke,” laughs Séan. “Dad loved the water, he loved the lake and being out in boats, but he couldn't swim. He had no fear.”

Midnight Rescue

The events for which Det Reynolds is being honoured unfolded on the night of August 15, 1970, when an historically violent storm swept the region. Bringing with it torrential rain, gale-force winds and severe flooding, at around 11:30pm, Det Reynolds, then just 24 years' old and stationed at Dublin Castle, was at his family home at Carrickakillew, Finea, when he first heard the cry for help.

Sixty-year-old Derek Moseley from Somerset, a regular visitor to the local area for more than two decades, had gone fishing earlier that evening when conditions were calm. But as the weather changed dramatically his boat filled with water and capsized, leaving Mr Moseley clinging to the overturned vessel in darkness in the middle of Lough Sheelin.

Realising the seriousness of the situation, Det Reynolds switched on an outside light and fired his service revolver into the air to reassure the stranded fisherman that help was on the way.

Unable to find a boat however, Det Reynolds stripped off his clothes, took a torch and entered the storm-lashed waters.

Bravery

He swam out to a small island, flashing his torch to guide the exhausted Mr Moseley towards him. But struggling through the heavy water, without hesitation the off-duty detective swam out and found the unconscious English angler floating face down. Dragging him back to the island, Det Reynolds administered first aid until Mr Moseley regained consciousness before bringing him safely ashore.

Speaking afterwards, in a report published by The Anglo Celt the following week, Mr Moseley said: “I owe my life to young Reynolds... Only for his bravery and prompt and efficient work, I was a goner.”

At the time of the rescue, Det Reynolds was himself recovering from a serious back injury.

Before joining An Garda Síochána, he had enjoyed considerable success as an international boxer, winning bouts against competitors from England, France and Italy, as well as competing in the European Police Championships.

He served much of his Garda career at Store Street station, where he was Warrant Officer for around two decades, and also as a detective and armed guard at Dublin Castle before retiring in 1994.

Recognition

Although the dramatic rescue was reported in The Anglo-Celt, published on August 21, 1970, no official Garda records exist.

The rescue might never have received formal recognition were it not for the persistence of Ballymachugh native Patsy Sheridan, who brought the story to the attention of Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, who in turn contacted Superintendent Gavin O'Reilly of the Cavan Garda Division.

The front-page coverage proved vital, and it is on the strength of this historic report that Supt O'Reilly prepared an application seeking official recognition under the Deeds of Bravery Act 1947.

Det Reynold's son, Seán, says the family - mother Marie and siblings Mairead and Brian - are immensely proud this notable act of heroism is now finally being acknowledged.

“We're very, very proud of it,” he told the Celt. “He's not here himself to accept it, and that's the sad part of it.”

Séan said the award has also given his own children a new appreciation of their grandfather.

“My kids - his grandkids - are extremely proud of him. We always knew he was a big, strong, brave man, but we didn't realise he was that brave.”

Recommended

A spokesperson for Comhairle na Míre Gaile confirmed it had agreed to bestow the honour posthumously following its July meeting, in recognition of Det Reynolds “exemplary actions”.

“Chaired by the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann, this seven-member council makes awards to members of the public who have performed acts of bravery,” explained the spokesperson.

“The Council were guided in their considerations by an article in The Anglo-Celt, published shortly after the event, as well as Garda reports and recommendations. As Detective Reynolds passed away in December 2019, the award will be accepted, on his behalf, by his family, at an awards ceremony in November.”

Cavan Superintendent Gavin O'Reilly welcomed the decision, expressing delight that Det Reynold's “brave and heroic actions” are finally being honoured; whilst also crediting the role the Celt for the role the newspaper played immortalising events from that fateful night.

Long-Overdue

The long-overdue recognition of the bravery shown by Det Reynolds was also warmly welcomed by Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith.

“I was pleased to raise the matter with senior Garda management and the Garda Commissioner. It's long overdue that this outstanding act of bravery is recognised,” added Deputy Smith, noting his delight that Det Reynold's courage had remained firmly in the minds of the local community.

Patsy Sheridan, who highlighted the deed after reading about it approaching the 50th anniversary in the Celt's From the Archives section, remembers Det Sheridan as “fearless”.

“I think its entirely justified,” said Mr Sheridan of the bravery award. “Knowing the kind of man he was, nothing was too big or too small for him.”

He added of Lough Sheelin, which he overlooks from his home: “Lives have been lost out there. It can be rough and tumble one day, then totally calm the next.”