CHARLIE CULLEN IS a hero. He is a lifesaver and a local celebrity.
He is also only 11 years of age.
Five weeks ago, Charlie Cullen was on his way home from rehearsals for a variety show with his grandfather Finn.
Around 500 yards from the gates of Slane Castle, Finn passed out, leaving the car out of control.
Charlie told RTÉ’s Mooney show that he took immediate action.
“I grabbed the steering wheel and pulled the car back towards the road. I had one hand on the steering wheel and the other trying to wake Papa up.
“I went to the left, away from the river and turned towards Slane. The car hit the wall of the castle sideways and I remember the car turning in the air.
I can remember bringing my Papa across the road and up the road to his house, which is 50 yards up the road.
“He was bleeding a lot. I went in the door and I can remember the screams from my nana.”
Emergency services were called and Finn was brought to hospital.
All of that would be an impressive enough feat for a seven-stone 11-year-old, but it was later discovered that Charlie had suffered a fractured skull.
Finn has since made a full recovery and paid tribute to his grandson.
“I don’t know what the consequences would have been had I been on my own.”
Humble Charlie, however, says he was just “returning a favour” to his grandfather, who he says has been “through thick and thin” with him.
Brenda Donohue of The Mooney Show then introduced FAI CEO John Delaney, who rewarded Charlie and his family with a trip to the Ireland and England game next year.
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