A garda who saved a life by handcuffing himself to a "distressed young man" who threw himself off the viaduct in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, was awarded £35,000 in compensation for his injuries at the High Court yesterday.
The court heard that Garda Lester Morton (43), of Balbriggan station, bore the full 14 stone weight of the man, who had jumped from the viaduct in the early hours of July 31st, 1995. Gardai and fire officers hauled the man back on to the ledge of the viaduct, but Garda Morton had suffered injuries to his right wrist, shoulder and left hand.