An Garda Síochána and the Scott Medal

Gerard O'Brien

This book recounts in detail each of the incidents in respect of which members of An Garda Síochána, even today an unarmed police force, were awarded the Scott Medal, a uniquely Irish gallantry decoration. Based on a range of published and unpublished sources, along with the personal recollections of still-serving Gardaí and including outline career details for each medal recipient, it is the first compilation of its kind in respect of Irish police bravery awards. It represents not only a fitting tribute to those named therein but is also an important contribution to the history of the Force and to the social history of the Irish state.

Gerard O’Brien is reader in history at the University of Ulster and is the author of Irish governments and the guardianship of historical records, 1922–72 (2004).