Retired Garda Superintendent Joseph O’Sullivan has been awarded a Silver Scott Medal which is the highest honour bestowed by An Garda Síochána.
He was presented with the medal in recognition of his exceptional bravery in saving a colleague’s life in Co Monaghan over 50 years ago. .
The Co Longford native joined An Garda Síochána in March of 1967 and served for many decades in the Cavan and Monaghan division.
The Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and is awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty’.
A special ceremony took place at the An Garda Síochána National Bureau Headquarters on Friday. The award was bestowed on him for coming to the aid of Garda Kevin Carty at the townland of Drumnart, Co. Monaghan, where Garda O’Sullivan and Garda Carty discovered two males, who appeared to be conducting surveillance in this area, one male was utilising a pair of binoculars and the other male was armed with a rifle.
Both males attempted to flee, with the Gardaí immediately in pursuit. Garda O’Sullivan quickly and effectively secured one of the males while Garda Carty pursued the armed male.
Despite the danger involved, Garda O’Sullivan, moving with the prisoner followed Garda Carty to provide assistance to his colleague. Garda O’Sullivan observed the armed male gripping Garda Carty’s throat. Garda O’Sullivan secured the rifle, which had fallen to the ground and went to the aid of Garda Carty. This male was subsequently subdued and he was also arrested.
Mr O'Sullivan says 52 years on the events of that day are very vivid in his memory.
