Great Scott!
HONOUR Bravery award for Kill man
When the Garda Commissioner awarded 13 Scott Medals for bravery to deceased and serving members of An Garda Síochána at a ceremony in Dubhlinn Gardens, Dublin Castle, last Wednesday, August 25, one Cavan man had a front row seat to the ceremony. Garda Michael Lee, originally from Kill, added a closing paragraph to a tale of daring that started five years ago.
The Scott Medal is the highest award the Commissioner of the force can bestow. It's awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty’ and Michael was handed his by Commissioner Drew Harris. “It's hard to tell. From the time we arrived to the time he was arrested, it was probably 20 minutes,” Garda Lee says of the incident on August 19, 2016 that was acknowledged by the medal.
Garda Lee was on mobile patrol with colleague Garda Barry Hennessy in the Wexford District. The two uniformed officers were responding to a panic alarm activation at the Bank of Ireland, Rosslare Harbour.
“Initially we did not know what was going on in the bank, except an alarm had gone off. A person was locked out, but we didn't know there were people inside,” Gda Lee recalled his experience. The staff member locked outside advised the officers of the situation. Gda Lee remained at the front of the premises while Gda Hennessy climbed a wall and accessed the rear of the building.
While at the front of the bank, Gda Lee heard commotion to the rear and saw three staff members run from the premises: “That's when everything kicked off.” The citation paints the picture of the scene as the bank employees fled the building: 'They were visibly scared and screaming. There was a male inside wearing a balaclava, in possession of a handgun, which he discharged while demanding money.”
Gda Hennessy called for back up, Garda Lee maintained his position at the front door of the bank: “The next thing the front door opened. This man, all dressed in black, with balaclava and gloves on, appeared at the front door. He pointed toward me as if he was going to shoot, but turned off and ran into a residential area.”
Whereas the 'fight or flight' instinct for most people in this instance would veer toward flight, Michael's response was to pursue the gun man. “You just run, I just went after him. I managed to slow him down. I grabbed him at one stage and pulled the balaclava off him. I eventually caught him as he tried to get over a hedge. I put him in a lock until Barry came,” he recounted.
Subsequently, the armed male was convicted and received a prison sentence for carrying a firearm with criminal intent, attempted robbery and false imprisonment. Michael was pleased with the way the Dublin Castle ceremony went: “It's an honour. You don't go out looking for theses things. Sometimes you are just put in these positions. It is nice to be recognised by your peers, other officers and superiors.”
Now a full-time emigration officer in Rosslare he says he was a “good Kill Shamrocks man" his day.
“I played with them when I was stationed in Bailieborough. I have been all over the place. I was first stationed in Hackballscross,” Michael concluded. In closing Wednesday's ceremony Commissioner Harris thanked the medal recipients saying: “You embody all that it means to be an outstanding member of our police service. And on behalf of An Garda Síochána, I wish to express my immense gratitude to you all for your inspiration to all of us who serve.”