Heroic Donegal man (22) ran twice into burning house to save elderly resident

Kealan Dolan had been returning from having lunch with his grandfather in Corkey, Manorcunningham on Friday afternoon last when he noticed smoke coming from a neighbour’s home.

A number of cars had just passed by the smouldering house but Kealan suspected there was something terribly wrong.

He jumped from his jeep and ran into the house calling the man’s name whom he knew.

He got no response and was forced to leave the house as he was being overcome by smoke.

Ignoring his own safety, the brave 22-year-old ran back into the house and found the elderly man on the floor.

Kealan, from Glebe, Ballyare, managed to pull the elderly man from the burning building to safety.

Just seconds later the entire house exploded into flames destroying much of the cottage.

Kealan then telephoned the emergency services and the elderly man was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment but is understood to be fine.

Modest Kealan said he was simply acting on impulse and adrenaline.

He said “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 came 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.”

Chairperson of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee, Councillor 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,” he said.

Councillor McMonagle said he will be now nominating Kealan for a bravery award.

“This kind of action deserves some kind of recognition and I will certainly be recommending him for a Garda Youth Award or a bravery award,” he added.