A hero Garda who helped apprehend a maniac gunman who went on a shooting spree has told how it was a “miracle” that nobody was killed.
Donegal Garda Sergeant Edward Griffin was among 11 incredible officers who received a Scott Medal for his bravery in a ceremony at Walter Scott House in Dublin on Friday.
Sgt Griffin was involved in a dangerous incident in which he and his colleagues came under fire from Stephen Dowling - a deerhunter from Co Carlow who was on alcohol and cocaine when he went on a shooting rampage with a high-powered rifle in the Glenties, Co Donegal in February 2020.
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Speaking to the media after receiving a Silver Scott Medal, Sergeant Griffin told how anyone could have been killed on that horrific night.
“It was absolutely terrifying for the community. This was a very quiet time, a very peaceful town and law abiding town and the community were extremely grateful that this man was apprehended.
“It was a miracle nobody was killed. A miracle. There could have been people in the town killed that night. Anybody could have been killed.
“That‘s how bad it was. And thankfully nobody was killed,” he said.
The Sergeant recieved the award alongside his colleagues - Detective Garda Darren Carter, Detective Garda Enda Jennings and Garda Louis Browne who all acted in apprehending Dowling that day.
Meanwhile there was a standing ovation when the son of hero Inspector Samuel Donegan accepted the Gold Scott Medal for his father - who died when a device exploded along the Cavan Fermanagh border in 1972.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, John Donegan said the death of his father had a massive impact on him and his family.
“It had a huge impact on us as a family.
“I suppose sorrow entered our lives that day and we still have that. It had an awful effect on us all our lives,” he said.
Meanwhile Silver Scott medals were also awarded to three officers who bravely apprehended psycho gangster Derek ‘Bottler’ Devoy - after he roamed the streets with a semi-automatic weapon and then barricaded himself in a bathroom with a grenade.
Sergeant Andrew O'Connor, Detective Garda Niall Minnock and Garda Conor Garland each received a Silver Scott medal for their incredible efforts in putting a stop to Devoy - who was highly intoxicated - during the terrifying incident in Ballymun in March 2019.
Thug Devoy was jailed for 15 years over the horror incident which officers believe could have been far deadlier - were it not for the brave actions of their colleagues.
The ceremony on Friday, which was attended by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Simon Harris, also saw awards go to two officers who were bundled into the boot of a car and held at gunpoint in Sligo in 1983.
Sergeant PJ Gallagher and Garda Thomas McGuinness received bronze Scott Medals over the horror ordeal in which they managed to free themselves and raise the alarm.
A bronze medal was also given posthumously for Sergeant Daniel Kelleher, who provided armed cover to his colleagues as they escorted a prominent businessman, who had been abducted, to safety on November 24, 1983.
Don Tidey was in his 23rd day of captivity when gardai and Irish Amr personnel assigned to the 58th battalion, based in Finner Camp, Co Donegal, discovered him in an IRA hideout in Drumcroman Wood, Derradda Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.
During the course of the search Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly were shot, and killed at the scene.
Despite the active shooting and in full knowledge of the potential danger, Detective Garda Kelleher provided armed cover to other Garda members who were escorting Mr. Tidey to safety.
A car then approached at high speed and a number of shots were discharged by the occupants of the car.
This resulted in Detective Garda Kelleher being shot and injured in both legs.
Speaking at the ceremony the Garda Commissioner commended the bravery of his colleagues saying that their professionalism “serves as a reminder as to why we carry out this important work.”
He said gardai carry out their duties knowing the burden that this places on them personally but also the heavy weight that it has on their loved ones.
Commissioner Harris added that there is a “misconception” that those who are brave feel no fear - and said that “real bravery is being in fear but choosing to resist” it in order to carry out their duties and protect the public.
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