The Garda Commissioner hosted a ceremony to award deceased, retired and serving members of An Garda Síochána with Scott Medals for bravery. A number of the medals awarded today represented actions of bravery which took place in areas right across the Northern Sound region.
Inspector Samuel Donegan was awarded the Gold Scott Medal for leading an operation with the Irish Defence Forces along the Cavan/ Fermanagh Border which resulted in his death.
Information was received that a suspect device had been identified near Legakelly. Insp Donegan approached the suspect device and was able to determine that it was a hoax.
A short distance away, a second similar device was also located, however as Inspector Donegan approached this device to carry out an assessment, the device exploded and Inspector Donegan died a short time later from injuries sustained.
Elsewhere, Sergeant PJ Gallagher, received the Bronze Scott Medal for an incident which saw him "overpowered" by a number of armed males and ordered at gunpoint to lie face down on the ground.
Sergeant PJ Gallagher was then driven towards Bawnboy in Cavan along with one other Garda.
The force members were ordered into a second hijacked car and driven to Kilnaleck, however they successfully released themselves from the boot of the car and raised the alarm.
Finally, Sergeant Daniel Kelleher was also awarded the Bronze Scott Medal, for taking part in a search of Drumcroman Wood, Derradda in Ballinamore following the disappearance of Mr. Don Tidey by armed members of the IRA posing as members of An Garda Síochána.
Despite active shooting during the search, Detective Garda Kelleher provided armed cover to other Garda members who were escorting Mr. Tidey to safety.
A car then approached at high speed and a number of shots were discharged by the occupants of the car which resulted in Detective Garda Kelleher being shot and injured in both legs. Subsequently, three people were convicted relating to criminal charges arising from their involvement in the abduction of Mr. Tidey.
