An Ennistymon based Garda Sergeant is being hailed a hero after he and a local man rescued a driver from a sinking car.
The incident occurred last night in Ballyvaughan when a car was seen entering the water from the local pier.
Sgt John Casey, a former member of the detective branch in Ennis, jumped into the water along with local man John McDonald.
The pair managed to pull the man from the sinking car and carry him ashore.
Sgt Marie Crowley managed locals and onlookers while a local nurse treated the casualty until ambulance paramedics arrived.
Superintendent Martin McGonnell of Kilrush said: “I am very proud of my members and locals for their quick actions. Sgt Casey stripped off and jumped straight in to save this man. Local man John McDonald also jumped in and both managed to get the man out the car.”
“Apart from a tragedy being averted, it was great to see locals and Gardaí work together in an emergency,” Supt McGonnell added.
Sgt Casey only recently transferred on promotion from Ennis to Ennistymon. Sgt Crowley was also previously based in Ennis and transferred to the north Clare station in recent months also following promotion.