Fifteen Scott Medals for Bravery are to be presented today to retired and serving gardaí and members of their family for their courage during the kidnapping of businessman Don Tidey more than 37 years ago.
The supermarket executive was kidnapped outside his home in Dublin in November of 1983 and held captive for 23 days by an armed IRA gang before he was rescued by the gardaí and the Defence Forces in County Leitrim.
Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly were shot dead in the incident which took place in Drumcroman Woods, Derrada close to Ballinamore.
The Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Garda Commissioner and is awarded for “most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty”.
Fianna Fail Monaghan Councillor PJ O’Hanlon knew the late Garda Gary Sheehan well and played Gaelic football with him.
