In a poignant ceremony today, An Garda Síochána will award Scott medals for bravery, recognizing the exceptional courage of its members, both past and present. The prestigious accolade, symbolizing the highest order of valor within the force, will be bestowed upon serving, retired, and deceased officers.
Three medals will be awarded posthumously, honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Among them is Detective Sergeant Denis O’Brien, a War of Independence veteran, who was tragically ambushed by IRA gunmen outside his Rathfarnham home on September 9, 1942. Superintendent John Curtin, shot dead in 1931, and Garda Morgan Lahiffe, who responded heroically to an armed raid in Togher, Cork in 1971, will also be remembered.
These awards serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who protect and serve. The ceremony not only commemorates the fallen but also celebrates the ongoing bravery of Ireland’s police force.
According to the Irish Examiner, this recognition underscores the unwavering commitment of Gardaí to public safety, often at great personal cost, and ensures their sacrifices are never forgotten.