Heroic action by sergeant praised

A GARDA sergeant who tackled one of the armed men trying to extort cash from his brother-in-law was hailed a hero yesterday and could be in line for a Scott medal for bravery.

Although unarmed, Blackrock-based Sergeant Gary McPolin tackled one of the raiders as he fled from his brother-in-law, Gary O'Donovan's house early yesterday morning.

Sgt McPolin was at home in bed when he received a phone call from a distraught Mr O'Donovan, who had managed to escape from the house where his pregnant wife, Katie, and four children were being held by two masked men.