Kildare student garda saves young woman’s life

A Kildare student garda and his garda colleague are being praised for their prompt action in helping to save the life of a young woman who was found unresponsive in Hadden’s Carpark, Carlow at 2.30am on Sunday morning.

The woman, named by gardaí as 24-year-old Chantel O’Connor, was not breathing when Garda Tommy O’Loughlin and student garda Matthew Forrest, a Kildare native, arrived at the scene. Garda O’Loughlin immediately left and brought a defibrillator to the scene, while student garda Forrest commenced CPR. Both guards continued to offer lifesaving assistance, while liaising with the emergency services over the phone, until the arrival of an ambulance on the scene.

Chantel had begun breathing by the time the ambulance arrived eight minutes later but remained in a critical condition. Paramedics stabilised her and she was brought to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny. She has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell praised both Garda Tommy O’Loughlin and student garda Matthew Forrest, who is from near Athy, for their quick thinking in helping another person experiencing a serious medical episode.

“I’m delighted our front-line uniform service were there and could help. Their intervention and efforts made a real difference when paramedics in the ambulance service arrived. I am happy to have since spoken to Chantel and her mum Stephanie. Chantel was since released from hospital and thankfully hopes to make a full recovery,” he told The Kildare Nationalist.