A GARDA has been praised for going “above and beyond” in helping a tourist at Dublin Airport, after she lost her phone containing priceless family photos.
Aleksandra had visited Ireland and was returning home to Poland when she misplaced her phone at her flight’s boarding gate.
Already in the air when she realised, Aleksandra was lucky when a woman found her phone and texted her fiancé saying she would hand it in.
The phone contained “many sentimental photographs, voice notes and videos” of Aleksandra’s grandfather, who had recently passed away, which were not backed up.
Flying back to Dublin, Aleksandra checked with airport staff, but the phone could not be found.
In a “last-ditch effort”, she approached the Dublin Airport Garda station located near terminal 1.
Garda Grace Roddy was on overnight duty when she heard the story and was determined to help.
Garda Roddy went “above and beyond to assist”, searching throughout the airport.
After little success at first, she eventually returned to the gate that Aleksandra had flown out from and found the phone tucked away in a drawer at one of the airline desks.
She returned it and its much-cherished contents to a delighted Aleksandra on what happened to be her 30th birthday.
Members of the public have come out praising Garda Roddy for her actions in a Facebook post detailing the story.
IRISH PRIDE
One commenter said: “Awh what a lovely story, such a happy ending. Well done Garda Grace Roddy!”
Another added: “Beautiful. Garda Roddy God bless you and continue being that kind and helpful.”
One person took the time to praise An Garda Siochana and said: “That’s what makes the Irish Police different from all other Police forces anywhere.”
Another praised Irish people as a whole, saying: “Sorry lads but this makes me so proud to be Irish”.
Upon returning home, Aleksandra emailed An Garda Siochana to thank them and Garda Roddy for their efforts.
She said: “Ms. Garda Grace Roddy demonstrated genuine empathy, took the time to listen and made every effort to help me get my phone back — even though she was not obliged to do so.
“Her professionalism and willingness to act made things happen. She found my phone which I truly appreciate.“
