Gardaí to be honoured for bravery shown in line of duty
Dr Tiede Herrema being escorted into Dublin Airport on his way home after his kidnapping in 1975. Picture Seán J Cooke
Gardaí who helped bring about a safe return of the kidnapped Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema in the 1970s are among retired and serving members to be honoured for their bravery.
A dozen Scott Medals are to be awarded to 10 gardaí on Friday by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly in recognition of bravery shown in the line of duty when faced with kidnappers and armed raiders.
This includes one gold medal, to be awarded posthumously, two silver medals, both awarded posthumously, and nine bronze medals, with three to be awarded posthumously.
The Scott Medal, the highest award that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner, is given for “most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty”.
In 1975, Dr Tiede Herrema was abducted by members of the Provisional IRA from his home in Castletroy, Limerick.
He was the chief executive of the Ferkenda factory in Limerick City, its biggest industry at the time.
He was held captive by his kidnappers in Monasterevin, where the siege lasted 18 days.
The kidnappers surrendered their positions, and Dr Herrema was released.
For the part they played, Detective Sergeant Michael Egan, Assistant Commissioner Thomas King, Assistant Commissioner Edward O'Dea, Chief Superintendent John Murphy, Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Sheil, and Sergeant Daniel Duffin are among the Scott Medal recipients.
Sergeant James Woods and Garda Patrick Spillane, will also both be awarded posthumously.
In December 1923, Mr Woods and Mr Spillane were on duty in Scartaglin Garda Station, Co Kerry.
Their station was attacked by a group of armed and masked men believed to be local anti-treaty volunteers. Mr Woods and Mr Spillane were unarmed.
Mr Spillane was beaten by the raiders, and his uniform was forcibly removed at gunpoint.
On hearing the commotion, Mr Woods entered the kitchen area of the station where he was ordered to hand over all of his property, including his uniform.
When he refused, he was forced to the upstairs area of the house and was fatally wounded.
Mr Spillane then cycled to Castleisland to seek assistance.
Four gardaí who helped ensure hostages were released unharmed from a kidnapping in 1981 are also among this year's Scott Medal recipients.
On January 19, 1981, members of the Irish National Liberation Army raided a private house party in Arklow, Co Wicklow, and kidnapped a woman to hold for ransom.
On January 22, members of the Special Detective Unit, led by Detective Inspector Patrick Sheil, were tasked with searching a property at Glenageary, Co Dublin.
They believed the kidnapped woman and a second hostage were being held there.
Detective Sergeant Joseph Madigan, Detective Sergeant Thomas King, and Detective Garda William Ryan were part of the team assigned to carry out the search.
Two hostages were released unharmed, and two men were arrested.
In 1924, Colonel Walter Scott donated a $1,000 gold bond to An Garda Síochána, in perpetuity, to endow a bravery medal and included the dies from which all Scott medals would be struck.
This year's ceremony will take place at the Garda National Bureau Headquarters, Walter Scott House, named in his honour.
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