‘After me was the Dáil, so I had to stop him’

Sergeant Dwayne Conlon was awarded a Bronze Scott Medal for risking his life while apprehending a man who had entered the grounds of the Dáil, having armed himself with a sword and knives.

The shocking incident occurred on April 29, 2014.

Sgt Conlon, who was on protective duty at Leinster House on the day, said: “I confronted him and in a struggle I disarmed him of the sword and arrested him for the offences for which he was prosecuted for. He had four serrated kitchen knives in his boots as well.”