A 27-year-old garda from Coachford, Co Cork, was recognised for bravery after she put her life at risk by confronting raiders during an attempted armed robbery on a bank at Sutton Cross near Howth, Co Dublin last year.
Garda Ann Roche was one of five members of An Garda Síochána who were presented with Scott medals for bravery at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, yesterday.
The medals - two silver and three bronze - were presented by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy. They are awarded to gardaí who have shown exceptional courage and heroism involving risk to life in carrying out their work.
Garda Roche, who was awarded a silver medal, entered the Permanent TSB at Sutton Cross and confronted two men, one of whom was carrying a handgun. She struck the raider with her baton. When he pushed past her and started a car parked nearby, Garda Roche struck the windscreen with her baton, shattering the glass. The raiders escaped, but later a loaded handgun was found and one of the suspects arrested.
A second silver medal was awarded to Garda Fergus McGroary (33), of Donegal town.
Bronze medals were awarded to Garda Darran Kirwan, of Longwood, Co Meath; Garda Adrienne Condon (28), from Waterford city; and Garda Patrick Casey (28), from Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
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