Garda Heroes Recognized with Scott Medals for Bravery

Bravery was celebrated in Dublin as An Garda Síochána honored courageous officers during a special medal ceremony. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan presented the prestigious Scott Medals, the highest honor bestowed upon members of the Garda, recognizing their exceptional acts of heroism.

The event, held yesterday, saw a total of nine medals awarded, with several presented posthumously for acts dating back to the 1920s. The Scott Medal was established in 1924 when Colonel Walter Scott donated a gold bond of $1,000 to fund bravery medals for the Garda. The award is given for “most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty.”

Among those recognized were Garda Nigel Murphy and Garda Conor Treacy, who received silver medals for their actions during a life-threatening incident in Dublin West. Responding to reports of a firearm being discharged at a residence, they arrived to find the house ablaze and a woman trapped inside. Unable to enter through the front door, Garda Treacy jumped the fence, accessed the first-floor window, and was quickly followed by Garda Murphy. They located the unresponsive woman and, with the assistance of other officers, managed to bring her to safety. Following a hospital stay, she made a full recovery.

Several other Scott Medals were awarded to officers who placed themselves in danger while confronting armed robbers. Detective Garda Gregory Sheehan was involved in a dramatic shootout with the notorious gang led by Dessie O’Hare. Despite being armed only with a revolver, he opened fire on the gang, which was armed with assault rifles. His actions allowed kidnap victim and dentist John O’Grady to escape after being held captive for 23 days.

On March 9, 2022, Garda John Yeates and Garda Jamie Caffrey responded to an attempted hijacking of a taxi in Dublin 8, where a male armed with a double-barrel shotgun confronted the taxi driver. Witnesses alerted authorities, and upon arrival, the Gardaí saw the gunman and taxi driver wrestling for control of the weapon. As the gunman attempted to flee, Garda Yeates intervened, positioning himself on the shotgun to secure it, while Garda Caffrey arrested the suspect, who exhibited aggressive behavior during the apprehension.

Of the nine Scott Medals awarded, two gold medals were given posthumously to officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty over a century ago. Sergeant Thomas Griffin and Garda John Alphonsus Murrin were tragically shot dead by a gunman in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, in May 1924 while they were investigating an attack on another officer.

The bravery displayed by these officers serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement professionals in their daily duties. Their actions not only saved lives but also exemplified the principles of courage and selflessness that underpin the service of An Garda Síochána.