UNDER EMBARGO/ For Planning Purposes ONLY until 00:01hrs 9th September 2024 Clarification: The Garda Press Office requests that media please disregard the earlier version of this press release issued this morning, and to use the following version. The Garda Commissioner will host a ceremony to award deceased, retired and serving members of An Garda Síochána with Scott Medals for bravery at Walter Scott House, Military Road, Dublin 8 on Monday 9th September 2024, at 11:00hrs. The ceremony will also be attended by The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD. 8 Scott medals will be awarded including • 2 Gold Medals (2 posthumously) • 1 Silver Medals • 5 Bronze Medals (1 posthumously) In 1924 Colonel Walter Scott donated to An Garda Síochána a $1,000 gold bond, in perpetuity, to endow a bravery medal, the Walter Scott Medal, and included the dies from which all Scott medals would be struck. The Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and is awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty’. The ceremony will take place at the An Garda Síochána National Bureau Headquarters, Walter Scott House. Walter Scott House is named after Colonel Walter Scott. Journalists / media attending are asked to register their intention by email to pressoffice@garda.ie before 9pm, on 8th September 2024. The ceremony is being held indoors so capacity is limited, only those journalists / media who have confirmed their attendance by email will be allowed access. Media should arrive no later than 10.15am. Background: Friarsfield, Tipperary, 21st March 1931 On the 21st March 1931, Superintendent John Curtin was on duty and was conducting a late night inspection of Golden Garda Station, Co. Tipperary. Despite being threatened by way of letter in November 1930, Superintendent Curtin carried out his duty diligently at a time of great uncertainty. In the days prior to his death, Superintendent Curtin brought a number of suspects before the Circuit Court in Clonmel in relation to paramilitary activity. On the night in question, Superintendent Curtin returned to his house late and the gates to his house had been closed which was unusual. Superintendent Curtin was ambushed by armed gunmen who shot him a number of times, fatally wounding him. Superintendent Curtin was unarmed at the time. He died that same night without regaining consciousness. Gold Scott Medal: Superintendent John Curtin, 783 (posthumously) Rathfarnham, Dublin, 9th September 1942 On the 9th September 1942, Detective Sergeant Denis O’Brien left his family home at Rathfarnham and got into his private car. As he drove down his driveway, three IRA men armed with Thompson sub-machine guns ambushed him. Two gunmen fired on him. He abandoned his transport and moved towards the gate of his home. Despite being confronted by gunmen who had the advantage of cover, planning, superior firepower and superior numbers Detective Sergeant O’Brien drew his firearm and discharged a number of shots. As Detective Sergeant O’Brien attempted to escape the ambush a fourth gunman further ambushed him. Detective Sergeant O’Brien was fatally wounded by a shot to the head. One gunman was subsequently arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Gold Scott Medal: Detective Sergeant Denis O’Brien, 8288 (posthumously) Douglas, Cork 24th March 2022 On the 24th March 2022, Garda Timothy McSweeney, responded to a call at a house in Douglas Co. Cork, where there was a domestic incident taking place and the injured party was in fear for her safety and that of her children. Garda McSweeney entered the house and spoke with a male who was intoxicated and in an agitated state. The male made his way to the kitchen and grabbed a large knife from a kitchen drawer and held up the knife in a threatening manner towards Garda McSweeney. In order to protect himself and the occupants of the house Garda McSweeney instinctively grabbed his wrist with the intention of disarming him. A violent struggle ensued where Garda McSweeney suffered a number of knife wounds to his arms and an injury to his knee and back when he was dragged to the floor. The male continued to resist and made threats to kill Garda McSweeney. Despite his injuries, Garda McSweeney continued to struggle with the male for some time until he managed to get the male onto the ground, drew his baton and restrained him. Silver Scott Medal Garda Timothy Sweeney, 26324K Togher, Cork 20th August 1971 On the 20th August 1971, Garda Morgan Lahiffe accompanied by Garda Gerry O’Sullivan responded to the call that three armed raiders entered the Five Star Supermarket, Togher. On entering the supermarket Garda Lahiffe a masked raider ran towards Garda Lahiffe and Garda O’Sullivan pointing his gun at them and ordered the Gardaí to get out of the shop. Garda Lahiffe and Garda O’Sullivan refused to leave the shop, then a second armed raider came from an office to the left of the Gardaí and ordered the Gardaí to leave the shop. Garda Lahiffe and Garda O’Sullivan were forced to retreat. As the armed raiders left the premises to make good their escape, both Gardaí were again threatened at gunpoint. The armed raiders got into a car and drove onto Clashduv Road and were pursued by Garda Lahiffe and Garda O’Sullivan. Garda O’Sullivan got out of the car at a phone box to alert Headquarters and request assistance. Garda Lahiffe followed the armed raiders to the College Road area where he was joined by other Garda members, in a marked patrol car. Garda Lahiffe provided details to these members who took up the search for the armed raiders. One of the armed raiders attempted to escape on foot and the Garda members gave chase. Subsequently the armed raiders were apprehended. Bronze Scott Medal Garda Morgan Lahiffe, 14647A (posthumously) Clondalkin, Dublin 22, 27th March 2013 On the 27th March 2013, Garda Niamh Connaughton and Garda Warren Farrell, were on patrol in a marked patrol van. They were driving down the Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, when they saw a white Ford Transit van pull up ahead of them outside an Off Licence. Gardaí Connaughton and Farrell observed two males alight from this vehicle and run into the Carry Out Off Licence, they had their hoods up and their faces concealed. Garda Farrell brought the patrol van to a stop outside the off licence; to see inside the shop, both Gardaí could see that a robbery was taking place inside. One male was observed by Gardaí on top of the counter trying to prise the till open with a screwdriver while the other male appeared to be threatening a female staff member at gunpoint. Garda Connaughton and Garda Farrell entered the off licence. The male armed with a handgun jumped back over the counter and ran down an aisle on the shop floor, followed by his accomplice. Both Gardaí remained at the entrance to the shop to prevent both males from leaving. The male with the handgun stood up from behind a pallet of beer and pointed his handgun at both Gardaí. The situation was volatile and both Gardaí feared for their safety and that of the public, both inside and outside the premises. Both males ran towards the Gardaí in their attempt to escape and a struggle ensued. Garda Farrell attempted to apprehend the male armed with the screwdriver while Garda Connaughton deployed her incapacitant spray towards the male with the handgun, who grabbed hold of a customer and used him as a shield. Garda Connaughton was violently assaulted when attempting to apprehend this male. Garda Farrell went to his colleague’s assistance to restrain the male with the handgun. Both Gardaí eventually subdued the male, disarmed him and made an arrest. The male with the screwdriver who had managed to escape was later arrested. Bronze Scott Medal Sergeant Niamh Connaughton, 35291H Detective Garda Warren Farrell, 33642D Belderrig, Co. Mayo, 25th October 1997 On the 25th October 1997, near Lady’s Bay, Belderrig, Mayo, a group of people became trapped within a sea cave. The services of the Garda Underwater Unit were sought to assist with the rescue. Rescue conditions were extremely dangerous due to the weather conditions, sea current conditions, wave surges through the length of the sea cave and the fact that it was night-time. An initial rescue conducted by the Garda Underwater Unit which included Garda Joseph Finnegan and Garda Kieran Flynn had successfully rescued three survivors from the sea cave. Following the rescue of the survivors, a daylight operation was launched to recover the bodies of two men who had not survived. Conditions inside the cave had deteriorated with 15 and 20 foot waves crashing into the cave. In full knowledge of the dangerous conditions, Garda Finnegan and Garda Flynn entered the water with a tow rope and large floating fenders. Garda Finnegan and Flynn proceeding with great difficulty, succeeded in reaching the back of the cave at which point they were both washed up on the rocks by the heavy waves. On the rocks at the back of the cave, Garda Finnegan and Garda Flynn located the bodies of the two deceased men. Garda Finnegan and Garda Flynn secured the bodies of the two men to the tow rope and buoyed them using floating fenders. The two Gardaí guiding the bodies were carried out through the breaking surf to the water’s edge on a pre-arranged torch signal to the boat. This was a difficult and dangerous operation, which took almost one and a half hours and called for seamanship, co-ordination and bravery of the highest order from those involved in treacherous conditions. Bronze Scott Medal Inspector Joseph Finnegan, 24713H Sergeant Kieran Flynn, 25594G | 