Twelve Scott medals for bravery will be presented to 10 retired and deceased members of An Garda Síochána today for their actions in dealing with anti-treaty and terrorist incidents in 1923, 1975 and 1981.
Two of the gardaí are being recognised for their courage in two separate crimes, the IRA kidnapping of the Dutch industrialist Dr Tiede Herrema and the rescue of two INLA hostages in Wicklow.
The awards will be presented by the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner.
The Scott medal is the highest award that can be bestowed on a garda for bravery and heroism where they risk their own lives in the line of duty.
Scartaglin Station - 3 December 1923
Two medals are being awarded posthumously to Sergeant James Woods and his colleague Garda Patrick Spillane who were attacked over 100 years ago on 3 December 1923 at the garda station in Scartaglin in Co Kerry.
At around 8.30pm that night, a group of armed and masked men believed to be local anti-treaty volunteers beat Garda Spillane and removed his uniform at gunpoint.
They ransacked other rooms in the station and confronted Sgt Woods in the kitchen. He refused to take off his uniform and was forced upstairs at gunpoint where he was shot dead.
Garda Spillane then cycled 8km to Castleisland for help.
Sgt Woods has been awarded a Gold Scott medal, Garda Spillane a Silver Scott medal.
IRA kidnapping of Dr Teide Herema - 3 October 1975
The Troubles also played a part in the next two crimes where gardaí were confronted by members of terrorist organisations.
On 3 October 1975, Dutch Industrialist Dr Teide Herema was kidnapped on his way to work and held hostage by the IRA at a house in Monasterevin in Co Kildare.
Two-and-a-half weeks later gardaí discovered the location and forced in the front door on 21 October 1975. Two armed detectives covered the back of the house while army snipers took up positions at both the front and rear.
Det Garda Daniel Duffin, Det Garda Thomas King and Det Sergeant Patrick Sheil, led by Det Supt Edward O'Dea went into the hall. A shot was fired at them and hit the wall beside them.
The kidnappers threatened the gardaí and Dr Herrema pleaded with them not to come upstairs because he was afraid he would be shot.
A siege commenced and 10 days later on 31 October 1975, Det Sgt Michael Egan was shot in the hand as he and Det Inspector John Murphy climbed ladders at the back of the house.
The siege ended after 18 days when the kidnappers surrendered and Dr Herrema was released.
Det Sgt Michael Egan, Assistant Commissioner Edward O'Dea and Sgt Daniel Duffin have been recognised posthumously along with their surviving colleagues, Assistant Commissioner Tom King and Chief Supts John Murphy and Patrick Sheil.
INLA Kidnapping of a man and woman - 19 January 1981
Det Sgt Patrick Sheil and Det Garda Thomas King have also been awarded second Scott medals each for their bravery in rescuing a man and a woman who were kidnapped for ransom by the INLA in Dublin along with Det Sgt William Ryan and their late colleague Det Inspector Joseph Madigan.
On 19 January 1981, members of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) raided a private house party in Arklow, Co Wicklow and kidnapped a woman.
Three days later, on 22 January 1981, officers from the Special Detective Unit led by Det Inspector Patrick Sheil searched a house in Glenageary in Dublin where the two people were being held.
Det Sgt Joseph Madigan, Det Sgt Thomas King and Detective Garda William Ryan were also part of the team who forced their way into the house.
They arrested two men and released the hostages unharmed. The woman was being guarded by an armed man upstairs.
One Gold, two Silver and nine Bronze Scott medals will be presented today.
