The hero with Dundalk links that died saving lives on September 11th 2001
Despite growing up in Staten Island, Timothy McSweeney had many links to Dundalk and was a hero who died saving lives during the September 11th terrorist attack at the World Trade Centre.
25 years ago today the world froze in its tracks when two hijacked planes struck the World Trade Centre in New York. Firefighter Timothy McSweeney with Dundalk links passed away whilst saving lives during 9/11.
Firefighters from Dundalk said in September 2001 that Timothy had visited their station many times.
Timothy’s mother, Maureen resided in the Laurels and Timothy regularly travelled to visit his mother and her family.
Both Dundalk and Drogheda firefighters sent a message of sympathy to Manhattan.
Timothy was one of the first firefighters to respond after the World Trade Centre was attacked by hi-jacked planes on September 11th 2001.
The 9/11 Birthday Tributes told the story of what happened when he responded .
Timothy followed in his fathers footsteps by becoming a firefighter and joining FDNY(Fire Department of the City of New York) in 1987.
Timothy worked as a firefighter for the Ladder 3 of the FDNY.
Timothy responded to the scene at the World Trade Center with Ladder 3.
They entered the North Tower to help and rescue the injured and trapped civilians inside the building.
According to radio contacts, Timothy and his fellow firefighters from Ladder 3 were helping burn victims in the tower shortly before its collapse.
Timothy and ten other members of Ladder 3 made the ultimate sacrifice and were unfortunately killed in the line of duty.
Timothy was referred to as a gentle giant, being 6' 3".
"They called him the Big Guy, or the Gentle Giant," said his wife, Debbie. "Everyone was drawn to him."
He loved being part of a busy firehouse. He won six awards for heroism, but hardly anyone knew it, said his father, Dennis, a retired battalion chief. "He didn't brag about it," he said.
Timothy was honoured in 2002 by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Take a look at Timothy’s memorial wall here.