Officer Ryan Nash. Facebook photo.
By Ray O’Hanlon
Other-worldly hatred was unleashed on the capital of the world Tuesday afternoon and people from around the world died and were injured as a result.
And the madness was brought to an end by an NYPD officer with roots in a corner of the world called Ireland.
And Ireland duly paid tribute to the dead and injured in the terrorist truck attack with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, speaking from Belfast, a city that has more than its share of dark days down the years.
“This was a cowardly and callous attack on residents of and visitors to New York City and I unreservedly condemn this act of wanton violence,” said Coveney in a statement.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ireland, I wish to extend my condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims.
“I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Argentina and, in particular, to the people of the city of Rosario, which tragically lost five of its citizens in the attack.”
Continued Coveney: “I wish to pay tribute to the first responders of the New York City’s emergency services. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the courage of those whose actions prevented the loss of even more lives, and commend the dedication and professionalism of medical staff who continue to care for those injured.”
To the fore among the courageous was NYPD Officer Ryan Nash, an Irish American from Long Island and a five year veteran of the NYPD.
Nash, who is 28, ended the madness by shooting Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old Uzbekistan national who drove a rented truck for about a mile along a bike path of Manhattan’s lower West Side.
Nash, who was in the area responding to another call, wounded Saipov in the abdomen.
Saipov survived and will now face American justice.
NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill, at a press conference, commended the response “of our NYPD officer” who had brought an end to the attack.
Former commissioner Bill Bratton also praised the quick response of an officer who faced a killer brandishing what turned out to be two fake guns.
In the midst of the mayhem, Officer Nash had no way of knowing this so went into action, from his perspective, outgunned.
That alone accords him the status of hero in NYPD blue.
