Hand, Frank

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Name: Hand, Frank

Rank: Detective Garda

Reg No: 20594L

Station: CDU, Harcourt Square

Years of Service: 7

Background:
Frank Hand, born on 29th August, 1957, came from Ardmullen, Curraghboy, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. He joined An Garda Síochána on 20th July, 1977. On completion of training he was allocated to Donnybrook Garda Station, Dublin. Appointment to the Central Detective Unit followed on 16th April, 1982. Detective Garda Hand was married and is survived by his wife and one daughter. Detective Garda Hand was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal on 4th December, 1986.

Circumstances:

On the morning of 10th August, 1984, Detective Garda Hand and a colleague, Detective Garda Michael Dowd, were on duty in an unmarked patrol car acting as armed escort to a post office mail van. As both vehicles pulled up outside Drumree Post Office, Co. Meath, to make the delivery, they were confronted by an armed unit of the Provisional I.R.A. There was an exchange of gunfire between the raiders and the Gardai injuring Detective Gardai Hand and Dowd. Detective Garda Hand’s injuries proved fatal.