A Garda who was repeatedly stabbed during a domestic incident in Co Cork is among a number of officers who have been awarded for their bravery.
Eight Scott medals, which is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner, were handed out to retired, deceased and serving gardai for their courage.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee were among those who attended the ceremony in Dublin on Monday.
Of the eight medals, two have been awarded posthumously, including to a Garda who was shot dead by the IRA.
The silver medal was awarded to Garda Timothy McSweeney, who was stabbed during an incident after he was called to a house in Douglas in March 2022.
After entering the house, Garda McSweeney was confronted by a man who was drunk and behaving aggressively in front of a woman, who was in fear for her life and those of her children.
The woman has been trying to escape the house with her children when Garda McSweeney arrived.
He said: “(The man) was intoxicated and he asked to go into the kitchen to get his jacket, and then he did he grabbed a large knife and came at me with the knife.
“I immediately told the woman and children to run. The struggle went on for about five minutes, and I managed to get him on the ground and got the knife off him. I then called for assistance.
“I received stab wounds to my hand and arm and tore my knee.”
Asked how he was able to retrieve the knife after being stabbed, Garda McSweeney said: “It was fear of him getting the knife off me and what he could do to the woman and children, so that drove me to carry on and every muscle in my body to get him down on the ground and get the knife off him.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the medal, I didn’t realise it was such a big occasion.
“My family are honoured. I am here with my wife, and two girls and my mother and brother. So it is a great family day.”
Detective Garda Morgan Lahiffe was awarded a bronze Scott medal posthumously after he and another Garda, Gerry O’Sullivan, tackled three armed men at a supermarket in Togher, Co Cork in August 1971.
The raiders pointed a gun at them but they later pursued the armed men as they tried to escape and caught them before they made off.
Detective Lahiffe died in December of last year.
Garda Lahiffe’s daughter Avril said: “We are very proud. It is a huge honour to receive this award. To say that it is his second medal is fantastic.
“It’s a very emotional day. He only passed away in December so he was very close to getting it himself.
“It’s a huge honour for him and he enjoyed serving the community.”
His widow Jean Lahiffe said: “I am feeling very happy. It is sad he is not here to get it himself.”
In March last year, Sergeant Niamh Connaughton and Detective Garda Warren Farrell were attacked and held at gunpoint after intercepting an armed robbery at an off licence in Clondalkin in Dublin.
They were both able to restrain the raiders, despite being held at gunpoint.
Detective Farrell said: “We went in (to the shop) without thinking and tackled the two armed individuals who were there.
“They pointed a gun at us and at the time I hardly thought about it but after when I thought about it, it was frightening.
Sergeant Connaughton said: “I was assaulted but thankfully no one was seriously injured.
“When you think about it after, that’s when you realise what had actually happened.
“I was punched in the face but I am okay now, thank God. It affected my work after for a while, and my sleep. It takes a while to get over it, but we are here.”
“It is a privilege and we are delighted to have these medals. Not many people do.”
Others who were awarded included Sergeant Kieran Flynn and Inspector Joseph Finnegan who rescued three people who got stuck during dangerous weather from a sea cave.
The two gardaí also located the bodies of two men who died in the incident.
Gardai Commissioner Drew Harris said the conditions for being awarded the Scott medal are “very high”.
“I want to acknowledge how deserving all today’s recipients are of such recognition,” Mr Harris said.
“Today is a day to recognise the outstanding contributions you’ve made to the country and that you’ve made to An Garda Síochána.
“You’re here today for very individual reasons and as a result of very, very different situations.”
Ms McEntee said their stories illustrate the different “opportunities, challenges and dangers” experienced by gardaí.
“It brings home to all of us the stark risks of a career as a Garda. It reminds us that those who choose to wear the uniform cannot choose what every day brings,” Ms McEntee said.
“From rescue and recovery at sea, to responding to the increasing incidences of the crime of violence in the home, we see the evolving, unpredictable but hugely fulfilling and important nature of your roles.
“It is a testimony to the dedication and bravery of our gardaí.
“There is an inherent danger in your chosen profession. To protect others means that, sometimes, you must put yourself in harm’s way.
“You must run towards danger, as others run from it. And you do so without any expectation of recognition.
“But that doesn’t mean that bravery and selflessness should go unrecognised.”
