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Garda Paul Ruby.

Garda Paul Ruby.

A GARDA who is being hailed as a hero after saving a man’s life has urged people to be aware of the whereabouts of defibrillators locally and also advocated training in CPR.
Garda Paul Ruby, a native of Blarney, Co Cork, who is now living in Killarney, spent 25 minutes resuscitating a 58-year-old member of the public after he found him unconscious.
Jim O’Shea suddenly collapsed in the Fair Field car park in Killorglin on Tuesday.
Garda Ruby, who is trained in CPR and the use of a defibrillator, arrived at the scene, in front of Killorglin Men’s Shed, after a colleague, John Galvin, alerted him.
“I immediately began chest compressions,” he said.
A number of defibrillators are dotted around the town and the defibrillator at the CYMS hall was fetched.
“The key thing to remember in such a situation is to remain calm. It’s surreal when you’re doing it but your training just kicks into place,” said Garda Ruby.
He added: “Familiarising yourself with the whereabouts of AEDs is crucial. They do save lives.”
Mr O’Shea is now recovering in University Hospital Kerry and Garda Ruby visited him there on Wednesday.
Mr O’Shea’s daughter Grainne said the family couldn’t thank Garda Ruby enough. “He saved my father’s life,” she said.
Dr John Geaney of Operation Resuscitation Killarney congratulated Garda Ruby for his life-saving actions. “It’s just amazing too see what people are doing locally to look after each other. It’s almost impossible to survive cardiac arrest if the people beside you don’t know what to do.”

DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATIONS IN KILLARNEY
Dan Linehan’s Bar, College Street
Market Cross
Top of High Street
Cinema Killarney, East Avenue Road
O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Cathedral Place
Killarney Court Hotel (24 hour)
Countess Shopping Centre (24 hour)
Daly’s SuperValu Park Road (24 hour)
Ilona Louise, Woodlawn Road
Holiday Inn Hotel, Muckross Road (24 hour)
Maxol Garage, Muckross Road (24 hour)
Golden Nugget Bar, Fossa (24 hour)
Beaufort community Centre (24 hour)
Kate Kearney’s Cottage (24 hour)