€50k for Leixlip Garda who disarmed gunman

A garda, who was awarded a medal for bravery in disarming a gunman, has been was today (Monday) awarded €50,000 damages in a High Court Garda Compensation hearing.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton heard that, in August 2010, Garda Paul Carney and colleague Garda Thomas Ryan had disarmed and arrested two robbers, both of whom had received training while members of the Lithuanian armed forces.

Garda Carney, aged 37, from Leixlip Garda Station, said he and his colleague had been patrolling in a car in Celbridge, Co Kildare, when they heard a security alarm going off from a jewellery shop and saw two men running from the shop.

Garda Carney told his counsel, Kieran Kelly, that he saw one of the robbers handing a black pistol-type handgun to his accomplice as they ran in front of the Garda car.

The court heard the gardaí followed the men into St Patrick’s Park, Celbridge. Both he and his colleague gave chase when the robbers split uprunning into a residential area.

Garda Carney said he was unarmed and wearing his uniform. He had called for the man he had been chasing to surrender but the robber stopped and pointed a gun at him in a military stance.

“It was like my worst nightmare. I feared for my life but I had no option but to engage with him,” Garda Carney told the court.

Judge Barton heard that Garda Carney tackled the gunman, disarmed him and threw away the gun.

Just as he was about to handcuff the gunman, the second robber approached, picked up the gun and pointed it at Garda Carney, who told the court he expected to be shot. However, the man ran away.