Saturday 25 May, 2013
A MAN JUMPED from O’Connell Bridge into the Liffey yesterday after another man reportedly threw his pet rabbit into the river.
Watched by a large crowd the man retrieved the animal and stood beneath the bridge before being rescued in a dinghy. Gardaí and the fire service were called to the scene…
All images Sebastian Dooris via Flickr
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Fair play to him, I’d love to shake his hand. Its hard to think that someone is that cruel and cold hearted that they’d throw a homeless mans pet rabbit into a river, the poor man already has it hard enough.
Hope Karma comes to the scumbag that threw it.
i dont see what this has to do with that poor girl who missed her transplant, the coast guard or air core were involved in that medical transfer, the dublin fire brigade had nothing to do with it, why cant we just ahve one happy moment without people always trying to drag us down. That poor girls family we should be supporting them of course but no need to tke waay from the poor man who jumped in the liffey, he is homeless a long time now and haveing spoke to him he is always polite gracious and always allows you to pet his dog, he is a lost man and maybe after today he cn be found again in the hearts of some of the decent irish people
This just made my day. Rabbits are awesome and so is the chap for jumping in and saving the little fella. Hopefully the guy who threw him in gets his comeuppance.
I always see this chap in town. He sits on Henry St in a sleeping bag with his dog and rabbit and is always talking to people and looks really happy. :)
That looks like the homeless guy who sits outside the Permanent TSB at the top of Grafton St.
I think its great that this guy would risk his own life for his animal. Some people would not do this for a person let alone a rabbit. I admire this guy 100% & if half the men in Ireland had the guts & courage this guy has Ireland would be a better place.
@David considering the man is indeed homeless , probably hasn’t a cent to his name or any friends or family, it was likely an act of desperation on his part rather than the frivolous prank you seem to think it was. Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones etc.
I think he started to panic when they were bringing him to a different set of steps as his dog would have been on the other side further away from him…just my 2 cents.
Also, I think its so sweet and I hope the scum that did it gets what he deserves. A poor defenseless rabbit. I totally would jump in the Liffey for my dog so I can get where this dude was coming from!
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Thanks so much :-) I just feel with people in Ireland so down at the moment it’s things like this that can lift our spirits a bit and maybe makes us all a bit more positive in our day to day lives. It’s like getting a hug for no reason just enjoy it
So let me get this straight. the fact we have a clearly Homeless guy who lives in a tent, spends his days on O’Connell Street bridge looking after a dog and a rabbit, a toerag who feels it’s ok to throw a helpless animal off a bridge, and the homeless guy risks his life to rescue said rabbit, should make us all feel better about the country we live in and the mess it’s in ? Am i missing something ? This story tells us how fucked up our little country is and should make us all feel ashamed.
Awww bless him, I love a man with a caring nature!
@ Alan, it’s because the emergency crew wanted to take him to the hospital and he didn’t want to because his dog was still up on the bridge and he didn’t want to leave him…that’s why he got really upset. In the videos I could her two man talking (in Italian) about everything that was going on.
Great story. But what’s with the junky scumbags that can be heard in the background in both vids? Those spaced out monkeys are ruining the city…
David go and watch movie starring Tom Hanks “Cast Away” when he histericallly jumps off the raft into ocean to chase his best friend…basketball. There is a chance after that you realize why that man jumped after his rabbit…I hope.
The only reason the poor fella got freaked out in the boat was because he wanted to go to the nearest steps as he was concerned about getting back to little dog back and got upset when they suggested going to a quieter area. They are like his children & he didn’t want to be apart from them. I am an animal lover & would have done the same.
Here’s a picture of him on another day http://pix.ie/lechesolara/2386595/in/tag/rabbit
Johnny & Diarmuid… You need some love in your life. Try and look at the positive side of things. Pets don’t belong in a shelter by the way, they belong to caring human beings who offer them what they need and if he’s willing to risk his life for them who are you to judge and label him. Why don’t you offer this man support if he’s homeless then making out that oh he must be some kind of junkie and doesn’t deserve anything. I just think it’s such a heart warming story that lifts my heart and I praise him for doing what he did. Many wouldn’t. As for that &€$¥#^* who threw the rabbit in to the water… Well then he needs to be locked up or severely punished. Guantanamo style!
Alan Larkin – you miss the fact that in all of the video, what he fights for with his rescuers is that he wants to be taken back to his “world” – his dog and all of his worldly possessions are on that bridge – he doesn’t want to go where people are waiting to help because he’d be risking everything he left behind when he rescued that poor bunny. This man can have a seat at my dinner table any time.
Wow, some people commenting here about the guy’s “aggressive behaviour” need a reality check. Some scumbag throws this man beloved rabbit into the river for no reason and he jumps in to save it, he waits for a while and when he is on the boat he is probably told he is going to somewhere for a medical check up and he is being ignored when he is saying “my dog’s up there”. Now if this was a lovely Hollywood picture that would be the end of the scene, and next scene he would magically appear reunited with his rabbit and dog, but this is not a film, this guy is homeless and probably has emotional or psychological problems, most of people who end up in the street has them, but the fact is that has he been taken away his dog would have had most likely end up strangled. Could have he reacted better? maybe Bruce Willis could have, a real homeless person with problems might have mood swings a volatile temper, so his behaviour is perfectly understandable and in fact the guys from the boat understood this in a few seconds and delivered him back to his dog.
Wow, some people commenting here about the guy’s “aggressive behaviour” need a reality check. Some scumbag throws this man beloved rabbit into the river for no reason and he jumps in to save it, he waits for a while and when he is on the boat he is probably told he is going to somewhere for a medical check up and he is being ignored when he is saying “my dog’s up there”. Now if this was a lovely Hollywood picture that would be the end of the scene, and next scene he would magically appear reunited with his rabbit and dog, but this is not a film, this guy is homeless and probably has emotional or psychological problems, most of people who end up in the street has them, but the fact is that has he been taken away his dog would have had most likely end up stranded. Could have he reacted better? maybe Bruce Willis could have, a real homeless person with problems might have mood swings a volatile temper, so his behaviour is perfectly understandable and in fact the guys from the boat understood this in a few seconds and delivered him back to his dog.
I came across this homeless for a couple of times on the shopping street near Spire. His rabbit barney was so lovely and fluffy and is so alike the one I used to have. When I saw him, I always stay for a while playing with his rabbit.
And how cold a heart a person has to have to throw that rabbit into the river. That young man just has no humanity. But anyway, it’s more of a warm story than a cold one. I feel so pleased to see some/many of we humans still have the capability to cherish other creatures’ lives as much as ours. Life is precious, no matter it’s a human or an animal, no matter where it’s positioned on the biological chain
This is the most touching story I’ve ever read in 2012. I am a person who had ever kept in total 10 rabbits of different species, colors, shapes and life-spans since junior high school. And my last rabbit died last year when I was 26. His Chinese name means ‘fat beauty’ and he lived to be 3 years 8 months
and I was sooo looking forward to rabbit stew !!!!!
JOKING :))) Oh go on, I’ll kick off the thumbs down……
The toerag who threw the rabbit in should be the one punished, but I have one question, does the nice friendly loveable, homeless man who would risk his fucking life for a fucking rabbit, and waste vital emergency services’ time have a dog licence?
What’s a homeless guy doing with a rabbit and a dog anyway? I’m sure they’d both rather be somewhere else than being used as a sympathy vote/begging aid. All you bleeding hearts who reckon this is a heartwarming story are delusional. He should have been arrested and the animals taken away to a pet shelter. Oh, and he’s probably a junkie too. Yep, I said it.
So yeah because he’s homeless lets take away the last family/friends he as? Good one yeh, sure hes homeless he must be a junkie, let me tell you pets dont really categorise people as ‘junkies’ ‘drug users’ ‘homeless’ and ‘wealthy’… Because as long as they’re fed and loved they would rather be no place else! The pets are perfectly happy with him I saw him the other day with them. No need to be coldhearted towards a bad story with a good ending, unless you’re incapable of it, because if thats the case, you need a hug… or a heart.
I usually don’t like it when people use bad language as a way of expressing their feelings for someone or something but in this case I just feel the need. I have 2 word to describe you Johnny after that pathetic, misinformed, presumptuous comment – HEARTLESS ASSHOLE!
Johnny. Animals are capable of unconditional love. Something humans cannot fathom and could certainly never display. There are always “conditions” tied to human love. Maybe that’s what happened to you to cause this hateful demeanor. Maybe you couldn’t live up to some other humans expectations and conditions. Sad…very sad.
Oh my goodness. I know the fella, his name is John n he’s homeless. Saw him twice last week sittin on O’connell bridge with his rabbit n his dog. I asked him where he stays at night time and he said a tent, as all the shelters wouldn’t allow pets. He seemed all calm n quiet. How could he do that to the pets that seemed everything to him?
and a little side note to Meg,,, if it transpired that the rescue services were delayed getting to an emergency where human life was lost because of this stunt ye would be singing a different song :)
But, David, it didn’t, so… what’s the problem?
+ Nobody got injured saving him
+ Nobody else was put at risk while they were out
+ There was no extra cost, as these staff were on duty
Your post suffers from a distinct whiff of ‘whataboutism’. Nothing went wrong. It’s a positive story about someone doing something about a thing they care about.
David, If I choose to become a firefighter, policeman, search and rescue person, etc. I know up front the risk I am taking. These people are PAID professionals. They get PAID to take the chances they take just like you get paid for whatever your profession happens to be. (I’m guessing you are possibly a Scrooge impersonator?)
This man put NOBODY in danger except maybe himself. That was his choice and, to be honest, is the same choice I would have made.
This mans animals are his family, whether you are capable of comprehending that or not.
The one who should be on the receiving end of the hatred in these comments is the dirtbag that threw the rabbit in the river. May he someday receive the same treatment and much worse.
Just wondering……was it YOU who threw the rabbit in the river? You come across as awfully upset that this guy is getting some CUDOS for being a decent, caring man. I’ll bet you dislike homeless people a lot huh? Careful there Ol’ Boy. It could happen to you too someday….even if you think it couldn’t.
LMAO I am being slaughtered because of my comment,,,,,,, I am being called nasty ,,,,,a ,,,,f..k bag,,,, idiot,,,,hate filled and being told to go and die , thank God that the rabbit was not some celeb like “Bugs Bunny” or ye would have a lynch mob out looking for me :)
maybe if you were homeless or lonely u would understand the love one can feel towards an animal whether it is tamed or not, i am not here to name call i just suggest u dont name call this man who in his life has lost all but his animals. Maybe go meet the guy speak to him hear his story then if u still think him an idiot call him so to his face. He made me smile today and feel that there is something positive left inside the irish people even if only a rabit to u its a lot more to him.
The only reason the poor fella got freaked out in the boat was because he wanted to go to the nearest steps as he was concerned about getting back to little dog back and got upset when they suggested going to a quieter area. They are like his children & he didn’t want to be apart from them. I am an animal lover & would have done the same.
and the dive team probably suggested he would have to be checked over by a medic, while he was in the dingy and that would panic any homeless person it completly took him out of his comfort zone and he got defensive but the team quickly with thier knowledge averted any agressive behaviour
lol Megan, no I did not throw the bunny in the water and I am not defensive i was just stating the truth , and Noel if you look at the video you will see that the Idiot is aggressive towards the rescue crew that could have led to one of them falling over board and hit by the propeller on the boat, but then that is another case of whataboutism that rescue services train for :)
He obviously heard something he didnt like. Its called a reaction after a traumatic experience! You could see the man calmed down and got a tap on the back before he got out of the boat. So again, you’re thinking the worst out of a happy ending! Go do something else with your day!
The actual reason he became aggressive was because his dog was still on the bridge probably with the asshole that threw the rabbit over and he was really worried. The rescue crew were taking him away! I can fully understand why he became aggressive. When he threaten to jump in they had no choice but to just bring him over to the steps which was very easy for them. I say fair play to him. This man has shown the world that he has a heart of gold.
Dave, you deserve to be on the streets. He was most likely in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Sorry David, but it’s not “the truth”. It’s just your opinion based on your interpretation. What do you suggest he should have done? Let his rabbit drown? That rabbit is probably the only friend he has in the world. You’re probably not homeless so you can’t judge this person, you don’t know what his state of mind is. Yes there could have been something else happening on the other side of the city that the rescue services might need to attend to, but if we all stopped and said “Ah sure, someone else probably needs emergency services more than me” then there’d be a lot more unnecessary and preventable deaths.
That tramp is an idiot! The abuse and display of aggression he shows towards the lads who rescued him is appalling. He should be charged with wasting emergency services time. We send a boat to get this vagrant and his rabbit out of the Liffey, but we can’t get a 14yr old to a hospital for a lung transplant. What is wrong with you people who think he is a great fella for jumping in after the rabbit!!! He is a low life toerag.
so you obviously know this man to have such an opinion about him? Do you know anything about him, about his life, of course not you are just happy to name call him, and what the heck has this incident got to do with the lung transplant? two completely different things! what is wrong with you that you can’t see the nice side of this incident, or can you not believe that a homeless man could actually care for an animal????
Wow…. You must have really failed at life to forget what love is. He had a dog which was on the bridge with the scumbag who threw the rabbit in – I would have reacted the same way, and not because ‘im a low life toerag’ but because I feel sorry for people like you.
@Elizabeth – if your that touched by this homeless persons heroics risking life and limb to save a rabbit then take him home to live with you instead of banging on about great he is to make yourself feel better as so many do gooders do from time to time.
Well Ter, maybe he didn’t have a 14 year old boy to rescue at the time. Contrary to YOUR little hissy fit post, he IS a great fella. He leaped to the rescue of a beloved creature. Just like I’m sure he would have leaped to help you. People with good hearts just do those sort of things. Belittling their actions shows how small your mind AND heart actually are. You and David should form a club of haters.
he is an idiot he could have been killed or caused one of the rescue team to be injured or even worse it never ceases to amaze me how us Irish will always applaud stupidity, the rabbit is not even a tamed rabbit it is a wild rabbit who will no doubt die in captivity anyway
Stephen if he decides to risk his life to save a rabbit that’s his choice but what right does he have to create a situation where he put other peoples lives at risk ? lol at all the thumbs down my comment received they can thumb me down a million times and it wont change the fact that the guy is an IDIOT
Oh dear David a bad case of a dulled heart and soul I fear. I am writing you a prescription for hard times by dickens and the occasional smiths album. If you don’t find these moving you will have to be quarantined as it would be dangerous for you to come into contact with the humane.
Try to be a little less pragmatic and the world may become richer and perhaps more meaningful. Sometimes this condition is accompanied by an excessive interest in numbers. If you recognise this symptom try to stop quantifying everything. See you on the other side, maybe.
David the rabbit is tamed. I walked by this homeless man on Friday the 1st on Henry street. The rabbit was following him without a lead or a need to be held and kept close to him while also playing with the dog. The guy has fook all in his life and some low life throws his pet rabbit into the Liffey.
Fair play to him for jumping in and rescuing it. He isn’t an idiot, he is a man with nothing trying to save something that means everything to him.
This is the River Liffey we are talking about, not a house fire. The tide wasn’t high that day, and the people who went in to help him are professionals. David you clearly underestimate the care that these professionals put into their work, and the actions they take to make sure that they are safe. If anything the only person who risk their life was the man who saved the rabbit.
If he was killed that’s his own choice. If members of rescue teams didn’t want to risk their lives to help others then they would never have become part of it. You make one of the most idiotic points I have ever seen. You clearly have a cold bitter heart that takes joy only in seeing the negatives aspects of everything. What is the point of a rescue team even existing if they never bother getting into a dangerous situation. That is their purpose. Seeing as you probably don’t understand how people can love animals, I really hope you don’t have any pets, you absolute fucking knob-jockey.
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