Offaly garda wins prestigious Scott Medal for bravery
An Offaly man has been awarded the Scott Medal which is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism.'
Detective Garda Niall Minnock from Cappincur was presented the award by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at a special ceremony at Walter Scott House, Dublin 8 on Friday, May 26.
Speaking about receiving the bravery medal, Garda Minnock said: “It's an honour to get an award and to be recognised for the incident with my colleagues.” The Offaly man celebrated after the event by going for a meal with his parents Pat and Rose and son Liam. Niall's partner Elaine Dodd, brother Aidan Minnock, sister Niamh Spollen and uncle Patrick Minnock who are all members of An Garda Síochána all attended the awards ceremony.
He said that the incident in Ballymun on March 11, 2019, was “on the extreme side of things” but that Gardaí are dealing with incidents like this on a regular basis.
Garda Minnock along with Sergeant Andrew O’Connor and Garda Conor Garland responded to a call of a male armed with a firearm in the vicinity of shops in Poppintree, Ballymun.
On arrival at the scene, Gardaí observed a male running with what appeared to be a black sub machine gun in his hand. The male ran into a private house followed by the three Gardaí. He then ran into the bathroom and as the Gardaí followed a number of shots were discharged from the bathroom.
The Gardaí tackled the male in the bathroom and the firearm was safely recovered. Gardaí then observed what appeared to be a grenade on the floor of the bathroom. They arrested the male and safely escorted him from the house. An Irish Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit attended the scene to examine the grenade and a controlled explosion was conducted. The man has since been charged and convicted.
Niall has been working with an An Garda Síochána for the past 17 years serving in Ballymun and Santry and he was appointed as a Detective Garda in October 2019.
The Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and is awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty.’