THERE WERE dramatic scenes in Enniscorthy on Wednesday afternoon as uniformed Gardaí pursued a man wanted in connection with a serious assault through the busy town centre.

Sergeant Jarlath Duffy is being hailed as a hero as he selflessly plunged into the River Slaney to apprehend the man after he hopped over a wall near the Railway Bridge in a daring escape bid and ended up falling into the water. Sgt Duffy acted quickly and entered the river after the suspect and took him back into Garda custody.

The man fled from Enniscorthy Garda Station on foot and was pursued through the town by Gardaí. He was pursued through the town and ran straight through a window at the old Sheehan’s premises. He was pursued along Rafter Street and down Slaney Street onto Island Road where he hopped a wall, not realising the extent of the drop and wound up in the river, at which point Sgt Duffy dove in after him.

Shying away from the praise being levelled at him in the wake of the incident, Sgt Duffy said:

“It was just something that had to be done. It wasn’t all just me either. In particular, Garda Kelly Egan was on his tail the whole way. I must also thank the people of Enniscorthy town who were very good. He was well away from me when I set off and anyone that I stopped and asked was able to tell me which way he ran, so a big thank you to the public for their assistance.”

The man, who was wanted in connection to a number of serious cases, including a vicious assault, was subsequently taken back into Garda custody and Sgt Duffy was left slightly wet, but other than that emerged uninjured.

The area where the man, pursued by Gardaí, entered the Slaney near the Railway Bridge. Pic: John Walsh