THE heroic actions of a young Ballyare man saved the life of an elderly man when he entered the burning house at Corkey Manorcunningham to rescue his grandfather’s neighbour.
Kealan Dolan put aside his own safety after he noticed smoke coming from the elderly man’s house eight days ago.
He jumped from his jeep and raced into the smouldering house calling out the man’s name. Initially he got no response and had to retreat from the house because of the dense smoke.
However, the 22 year-old re-entered the house and found his granddad’s neighbour on the floor and managed to pull him from the burning building to safety.
Within seconds of rescuing the man, the single-story cottage exploded into flames and the building was consumed by fire.
Once the elderly man was safely out of the burning building, Kealan called the emergency services and the man was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where he is understood to be recovering well.
Speaking after his life-saving heroics, Kealan modestly said he was just acting on impulse.
“I suppose the adrenaline just kicked in. I had a feeling he must have been in there. I rushed in and called his name but nobody answered and I had to come outside to catch my breath.
“Something told me to go back in and I did and I was lucky that I just heard him the second time and managed to get him out.
“We were only out a few seconds and the whole place went up in flames. I was just so thankful that I was in the right place at the right time and I could help get him out.”
Chair of Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Gerry McMonagle praised Kealan’s courage and bravery.
“Most people would have to think long and hard about running into a burning building but this young man did it twice in a matter of seconds. He’s very courageous,” the local councillor said.
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