Hero officer saves man from blaze at house

Gda Peter Shortall is being hailed a hero after he entered the property and dragged out the unconscious victim who he found slumped in an armchair with his hair singeing from the heat.

The incident happened in Main Street in Borris, Co Carlow, at around 5pm last Thursday.

Gda Shorthall was alerted by reports that smoke had been seen billowing from the old post office.

As the officer on duty at the local garda station, he ran to the scene and then had to climb over a high wall before he could gain entry to the back of the property where local man Paul Lidierth lives.

gutted

Gda Shortall entered the house and was able to pull retired postmaster Mr Lidierth to safety before units of the local fire brigade arrived.

Mr Lidierth was taken to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny where he was treated overnight.

“Without the quick and brave actions of the garda, Mr Lidierth would have died in that fire within seconds, his hair was singed and he was unconscious,” a local source said, adding that it showed how vitally important the local garda station in Borris is to the community.

The fire, which gutted the property, was started accidentally.

kfoy@herald.ie