A former soldier who died earlier this month while trying to save another man in the River Liffey has been described as a "hero" and "kind soul".
James Nicholl, aged 41, was originally from The Curragh but had been living in a hostel in Dublin with his partner. During the early hours of April 8, James and his partner came across a man in distress in the Liffey near Grattan Bridge.
Speaking to RTE Liveline today, James' sister Deborah explained what happened on the night and paid tribute to her "beautiful, heart-warming brother".
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"As far as we're aware, James and his partner were coming across the Capel Street bridge and there was a distress call from a person on the bridge about the young gentleman that went into the Liffey," Deborah told Joe. "James just said that he would jump in.
"As far as we're aware, people told him not to but James stated that was ex-army and well able to swim and he just jumped in.
"He did manage to get hold of that poor gentleman on three or four occasions and then unfortunately he lost his life. I suppose the current was too much and took him."
James suffered from addiction but had gotten clean and was waiting to be housed. "James was a beautiful, heart-warming, full of life character. Before his addiction and even in his addiction we was just a kind soul. He was a very funny person, a very witty person."
Johnny, who was the best friend of the other man who died and was there on the night, also spoke to Liveline this afternoon: "He was 21 when he died, it is actually his 22nd birthday today," he explained.
"I was there on the night, Jimmy actually answered my screams for help and as far as I'm aware I was the last person to speak to Jimmy.
"I think it was a real act of braveness and selflessness. For me, it has restored my faith in humanity because Jesus, I don't know in any other situation if any other strangers (would have helped).
"There was a lot of people in town. It had just gone 1:20am. I can't swim and I was feeling helpless at the time because of the fact I can't swim.
"I was on the phone to the guards trying to get them there. It's just a real shame that no one could help, all of the people there."
A garda spokesman told Dublin Live: "At approximately 1:30am on Saturday 8th April 2023, Gardaí received a report that one male had entered the water at Grattan Bridge followed by another male who was attempting to assist.
"Despite an extensive search conducted by Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade, the males could not be located. The bodies of two males (aged in their 20s and 40s) were recovered by Gardaí from the River Liffey on the morning of Saturday 8th April 2023.
"Garda enquiries are ongoing. Files will now be prepared for the Coroner."
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