Scott medal awarded to retired Garda Superintendent

Retired Garda Superintendent Joseph O’Sullivan has been awarded a Silver Scott Medal - 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.

A native of Clonahard, O’Sullivan joined An Garda Síochána in March 1967 and served for many years in the Cavan and Monaghan division.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan attended the ceremony, during which nine Scott Medals were presented, including two gold medals (posthumously), four silver, and three bronze awards.

The act of bravery for which O’Sullivan was honoured occurred on August 8, 1973, when then-Garda O’Sullivan and Garda Kevin Carty were on border patrol duty in Monaghan.

The two officers were inspecting several crossing points when they parked their patrol car and continued on foot across fields overlooking the Northern Ireland border in the townland of Drumnart. There, they discovered two men - one armed with a rifle and the other using binoculars - apparently conducting surveillance. When the suspects attempted to flee, the gardaí gave chase. Garda O’Sullivan apprehended the unarmed man, while Garda Carty pursued and detained the armed suspect.

Despite the grave danger, Garda O’Sullivan, still holding his prisoner, went to assist his colleague, who was being held by the throat by the armed man. During the struggle, the rifle fell to the ground, and Garda O’Sullivan secured the weapon, helping to subdue and arrest the suspect.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly praised O’Sullivan for his “exceptional courage and selfless dedication to duty” during the incident.