Retired detective awarded €150k

A retired detective who prayed over the body of a murdered colleague shot down in front of him in a Tallaght gun battle 31 years ago has been awarded €150,000 damages at a Garda compensation hearing in the High Court.

Michael McMahon, aged 67, of Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip, Co Kildare, told Ms Justice Mary Irvine that he suffered trauma and psychological injuries after seeing Garda Patrick Reynolds shot dead by the INLA on Feb 20, 1982.

Barrister Michael Byrne SC, who appeared with Pat Purcell for Mr McMahon, said the former garda had developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the shooting at Avonbeg Gardens Flats, Tallaght.