Garda ‘very proud’ of father awarded bravery medal

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

A garda inspector has said he is “very proud” of his late father, who was posthumously awarded a medal for bravery.

On Halloween 1975, Detective Sergeant Michael Egan was shot while on duty during a siege of a property by kidnappers.

He died on St Stephen’s Day last year and was one of 10 gardaí being awarded Scott Medals for bravery on Friday.

His son Inspector Declan Egan, who followed in his footsteps to join An Garda Síochána, told the Press Association: “Dad was shot through the window of the house – as a result of that he was out of action for a while.

“But you know, as a result of his actions and the actions of some other very brave guards at that time, the siege came to a peaceful conclusion.”

Inspector Egan said it was a “bittersweet” time for his family, but added: “Dad knew he got the Scott Medal last November, so we have no doubt that it gave him an extra couple of months.

“He wasn’t well, but it gave him a great lift to hear that he got the Scott Medal.

“He did say ‘about time!’ – but it was a very proud moment for us – he’s here in spirit with us today.”

At a ceremony at Walter Scott House, Commissioner Justin Kelly said “connection across generations of garda service is deeply meaningful”.

He added: “It reminds us the history of this organisation lives not only in records of medals, but in families and service carried forward to the next generation.”

Asked about the comments, Inspector Egan said: “I’m very proud of my dad.

“I was always very proud of what he did, and then the time came for me to get a job, I decided to join An Garda Síochána 32 years ago.

“It was the best thing I ever did.

“I’m so proud.

“I love the organisation, I love being a guard, and helping out, and very proud to be here today.”

The family connection was also present with brothers Detective Superintendent Colm Murphy and Major Barney Murphy, Assistant Deputy Superintendent at Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office in Massachusetts, whose father Chief Superintendent John Murphy was awarded a bronze Scott Medal for his role in the same siege.

Dr Tiede Herrema had been abducted by members of the Provisional IRA while he was travelling to his place of work.

Investigators identified that Dr Herrema was being held captive in Monasterevin, Co Kildare.

On October 21st, several gardaí travelled to the house where the front door was forced open.

Two armed detectives covered the rear of the house while army snipers took up positions at both the front and the rear of the property.

Detective Garda Daniel Duffin, Detective Garda Thomas King and Detective Sergeant Patrick Sheil entered the hallway, led by Detective Superintendent Edward O’Dea.

A shot was fired at the gardaí and hit the wall beside them.

At this point Dr Herrema pleaded with gardaí not to come upstairs as he was afraid he was going to be shot.

During this incident the kidnappers continued to threaten Garda members.

On October 31st, Det Sgt Egan and Detective Inspector John Murphy climbed ladders at the rear of the property in order to monitor activity inside the house.

Det Sgt Egan received injuries to his left hand as a result of the shooting.

The siege lasted 18 days in total, at which point the kidnappers surrendered their positions and Dr Herrema was released.

Det Sgt Egan was posthumously awarded a silver Scott Medal, while Assistant Commissioner Thomas King, Chief Superintendent Murphy, and Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Sheil received bronze medals.

Assistant Commissioner Edward O’Dea and Sergeant Daniel Duffin also received bronze medals posthumously.

A gold and silver medal were posthumously awarded to Sergeant James Woods and Garda Patrick Spillane respectively, who were attacked by a group of armed and masked men believed to be local anti-treaty volunteers in 1923.

Sgt Woods refused to hand over his uniform and was fatally wounded during this incident.

Elsewhere, bronze medals were awarded to Assistant Commissioner Thomas King, Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Sheil, Detective Inspector Joseph Madigan (posthumously), and Detective Sergeant William Ryan.

These related to a 1981 raid of a house party by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) in Arklow, Co Wicklow, where they kidnapped a woman, with a view to a ransom being paid for her release.

They were involved in rescuing the woman and a second hostage.

It means Sheil and King received two bronze medals.