A DUBLIN Pike man has been hailed a hero after a dramatic river rescue involving two young boys.

Martin Cullinane came to the aid of the children — aged six and seven — helping them narrowly escape tragedy.

The incident occurred in Passage West on Saturday evening when Mr Cullinane sprang into action after hearing a commotion from the quays below while in his girlfriend’s apartment.

He did not hesitate in taking to the water to save the boys.

While speaking on Red FM’s Neil Prendeville Show he said:

“Something else takes over. I had no idea [how cold the water was]. By the time I got to the water, I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t think much of anything.

“It’s kind of setting in now but that night was just very strange. I went back upstairs, had a shower and opened a beer. The following day things started to sink in.”

A passer-by also helped with the rescue after coming to the shore to help pull the first boy from the water.

Following the rescue of the first boy, Mr Cullinane swam out to the second boy who he said appeared “lifeless with foam coming out of his mouth”.

Luckily, the passer-by was able to reach out and grab the second boy before he helped pull Mr Cullinane from the water.

The passerby also praised Mr Cullinane for his quick thinking actions on the Neil Prendeville Show.

“I’m extremely proud of him because if he wasn’t in that water to help [them] they probably wouldn’t be with us today,” he said.

The boys were subsequently taken to Cork University Hospital and are believed to have made a quick recovery.

“I was on to CUH yesterday morning but they couldn’t give me too much information because I’m not a relative but they said the two guys were having tea and toast. They’re okay.” Mr Cullinane told Red FM.”