James Nicholl had been living in temporary accommodation with his partner when he came across a man in distress about his friend jumping in the river. The bodies of both men were recovered from the River Liffey several hours later.
A homeless man who drowned after jumping into the River Liffey to rescue a stranger who was trying to take his own life performed “a very courageous and heroic act,” an inquest has heard.
READ MORE: Gardai complete probe into killing of Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon as Tanaiste confirms inquest will be held soonAn inquest into the deaths of both men at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on Friday heard Mr Banys had made suicidal references in a series of texts to a friend earlier that night. The friend, Johnny Friel, gave evidence of jumping into a taxi from his home in Stoneybatter after receiving worrying text messages from Mr Banys at around 1am.
He gave evidence of meeting his friend in Street 66 bar on Parliament Street where Mr Friel insisted they would get a taxi home and stay together as Mr Banys was “upset and crying.” The inquest heard that Mr Nicholl managed to get hold of Mr Banys in the water but both men appeared to be struggling before getting separated mid-river.
She recounted how they were just returning from having a pizza when they came across a man in distress on Grattan Bridge begging for help. He said Mr Banys had not appeared overly affected by the recent breakup of a relationship and he could say with certainty that Mr Banys had not taken any drugs while they were out together, although they had consumed alcohol.
Sgt Brady said Mr Nicholl’s body was subsequently found floating near the Millennium Bridge at 6.25am, while the body of Mr Banys was recovered from near the Ha’penny Bridge at 7.10am.
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