According to a recent inquest, there were inadequate life-saving resources available when two men tragically drowned in Dublin’s river Liffey. The lifebuoys that were present had either short or entangled ropes. The deceased men were identified as James Nicholl, 41, and Modestas Banys, 21 by the Dublin District Coroner, Dr Clare Keane who confirmed the cause of death for both as drowning.
Modestas Banys’ death was ruled as a suicide, as he had willingly jumped into the river intending to take his own life. Meanwhile, James Nicholl bravely dove into the water in an effort to rescue Mr Banys. Dr Keane, while delivering the verdict, described Mr Nicholl’s gallant rescue attempt as “very courageous and heroic”. Despite his tragic death, it was a selfless act by Mr Nicholl who was formerly a soldier in the Defence Forces.
As per Mr Nicholl’s partner, Donna Walker, he was a strong swimmer. The pair spotted Johnny Friel, a friend of Mr Banys, seeking help on the early morning of April 8th, 2023, Easter Saturday. Despite reaching Mr Banys, both men regrettably disappeared from sight, Ms. Walker informed the hearing.
Modestas Banys, having Lithuanian parentage, had recently broken up with his boyfriend and was describing it as “being dumped”. The morning of his tragic death, he was reportedly seen drinking beer and whiskey with his friend Shayne McCullough at Street 66, a bar in Temple Bar, Dubin 2. They parted ways into the early hours of the following day.
Mr. Banys, a friend of Mr. Friel, posted an apologetic message on his Instagram at 12:42 in the morning on Saturday stating: “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to cause harm to anyone I crossed paths with.” In response, Mr. Friel departed his Stoneybatter property, hailed a cab to Street 66, and located his companion, who maintained residences in Monaghan and Garrynisk Square, Belgard, Tallaght. After exiting the vehicle on a nearby street, Mr Banys sprinted towards Grattan Bridge and took a leap off it approximately at 1.30 am.
Two floats were present near the incident location, but as per Sgt Joanna McCormack from Store Street Garda station, one of the buoy’s ropes was intertwined. Despite her immediate efforts to untangle the rope, this task consumed crucial time.
Sgt McCormack clarified that the bridge lacked buoy posts and where only a single post was installed between the bridges on the Liffey. This arrangement implied that if a person fell into the water from the bridge, like what happened to both Mr. Banys and Mr. Nicholl, any individual attempting a rescue would need to rush down the bridge and quays to secure a float. “This causes a delay,” she stated.
Though they initiated the rescue involving the Garda water unit, Garda helicopter, and a rescue boat from the Dublin Fire Brigade which persisted till about 2.30am, the operation was terminated. Upon resumption of the search at around 5.30am, both men’s remains were retrieved.