By Elaine Tubridy

TWO ENNIS Gardai have been hailed as heroes after helping a nine-day old baby who wasn’t breathing after being rushed to Ennis Garda Station.

The incident occurred on the evening of April 4 last at 5.50pm. The newborn’s parents were walking their pram in the Abbey Street area when they noticed their baby wasn’t breathing and its face had turned blue.  They immediately reacted by running to the nearby Garda station for assistance.

Garda Patrick McCormack, who has less than four months’ service, was the Garda on duty at the public office when the parents came in with their nine-day old child.  He was the first responder and was shortly after joined by Garda Ken Butler, who is attached to the Divisional Roads Policing unit and is a trained paramedic.  Garda McCormack immediately called for an ambulance and kept the parents updated while Garda Butler administered back slaps to the baby to clear the passage. The newborn’s parents have told The Clare Echo that the quick-responding Garda Butler “might have saved our baby’s life”.

The child was transferred to the local hospital by ambulance  and is understood to be doing well now having been released from hospital after being detained overnight.

Clare Chief Supt John Kerin told The Clare Echo: “I am very proud of the professional and brave response of both Gardai. Garda McCormack … has less than four months’ service.  It was a daunting challenge but his reaction was immediate and his response was first class, as was that of Garda Butler.  It copper-fastens the necessity for all front line responders to be trained in First Aid . The response of Gardai reflects well on their training.”

Cllr Anne Norton who was in the station on other business when the incident occurred praised the gardai at a CJPC meeting this afternoon.

Related News

chloe jake corry 1
Record number of 350 cyclists for Odd Socks Cycle in Clare
maxresdefault
Clare-based podcast ‘Weshtern Philosophy’ returns for season 3
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis

Advertisement

Latest News
clare v limerick minor 18-04-24 graham ball 1
Clare minor hurlers looking to make their mark as championship commences
diarmuid mcmahon
McMahon to become Ennis Chamber President for second time
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
clare v waterford u20 04-05-24 james organ 1
Organ helps Clare grind out win over Waterford
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis
Premium
claire joe collins 1
'Check upstairs & outside' - inquest hears details on death of Kilnaboy couple
john carmody 2
Antrim were deserving league winners says Carmody as Clare fall short
clare v cork u20 26-03-25 diarmuid stritch 1
Clare target better shooting efficiency & first championship win for Déise date
cork v clare u20 01-05-25 evan cahill 1
Clare's U20 footballers lose by nine points to Cork in Quilty
clare v limerick u20 22-03-25 luke pyne 1
Clare U20 footballers 'relishing chance' to play three more games in Munster

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement