Cork-based gardaí among those awarded Scott medals 

Back row: Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Front: Orla McKeown grandniece of Detective Sergeant Patrick McKeown who received a posthumous gold medal award; Frank Brady son of Michael Brady who received a posthumous gold medal award; Marie Hyland, daughter of Detective Garda Richard Hyland who received a posthumous gold medal award during a Garda Scott medal award ceremony for deceased and serving members of at the Dubhlinn Gardens, Dublin Castle. Picture: Gareth Chaney

More than 16 years on, retired garda sergeant John McDonagh remembers the day of the hostage-taking like it was yesterday.

“I remember that day very well. I remember hiding behind a wall, watching the house. I remember him [one of the armed kidnappers] coming out the door. I remember meeting the father battered and I remember clearly making the arrests and the weapons.