Ruttledge, Patrick

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Name: Ruttledge, Patrick

Rank: Garda

Reg No: 17003H

Station: Monaghan

Years of Service: 14

Background:
Pat Ruttledge, born on 8th October, 1947, came from Carrowrile, Lavagh, Ballymote, Co. Sligo. He joined An Garda Síochána on 12th July, 1967. On completion of training he was allocated to Clones Garda Station on 17th November, 1967, and later transferred to the Divisional Traffic Corps based at Monaghan on 11th July, 1972. Garda Ruttledge was married with one child. He was a keen GAA enthusiast and a member of Monaghan town hurling club. In 1974 he was hijacked by a Provisional I.R.A. unit, while driving his private car off duty. A 200lb bomb was placed in his car. He was ordered to drive to the village of Magheraveely, Co. Fermanagh. On route to Magheraveely he drove his car into a field and abandoned same, conscious of eliminating danger to the public. The bravery of Garda Rutledge was widely recognised in the Border area

Circumstances:

On 24th February, 1982, Garda Ruttledge, with Garda Nathy Cawley, was on explosives escort duty in a Garda patrol car from Monaghan Garda Station when it was involved in a collision with an Army truck at Broomfield, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Garda Ruttledge died instantly.