Gardai who arrested man roaming Limerick with a shotgun are honoured

THREE gardai have been honoured for apprehending a man who said he would have killed somebody in Limerick city if he hadn’t been arrested.

The man, armed with a sawn-off shotgun, roamed the city on a pedal bike in broad daylight, seeking to shoot people. 

Sergeant Derek Deloughrey, Sergeant James Hourihane, Garda David Slattery were among seven gardai awarded with Scott Medal Commendations of First Class for their bravery and courage shown in the course of their duties while responding to incidents in the Southern Region.

The ceremony, attended by Assistant Commissioner for the Southern Region, Eileen Foster, was held at the Clayton Hotel in Cork this Monday.

A garda spokesperson said: “On May 9, 2015, Sgt Deloughrey, Sgt Hourihane, and Garda Slattery displayed exceptional courage and bravery, involving risk to their lives in the execution of duty in the disarming and detainment of an armed individual.”

The accused man had wounded one man on a busy street while the victim was chatting to a group including young girls, one with special needs.

Some hours later, after being chased on his bike, he pulled the gun on gardaí telling them he would have killed somebody had he not been arrested, a court subsequently heard.

“I was going to leave off a shot at them, the gardaí, that were chasing me,” said the defendant.

Sgt Hourihane was driving his private car at Condell Road when he saw the man and called for armed support back up.

Pursued by gardaí, he abandoned his bike at Lower Mallow Street and ran down Henry Street. At a laneway next to Henry Street garda station, Sgt Deloughrey, Garda Dave Slattery and Garda Dan Murphy cornered him.

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Speaking about the courage of these brave gardaí this Monday, Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster said: "The bravery shown by these gardaí whose unwavering dedication and commitment to protect and serve the people of Ireland has seen them go above and beyond the call of duty.”

Assistant Commissioner Foster said the courageous individuals have risked life while working in dangerous and fraught situations to protect the people of this country. 

“They have done so selflessly and with distinction. Today, as we pay tribute to their dedication to duty it provides us an opportunity to reflect on and be inspired by their selfless actions. I wish to express my gratitude to them and their families for their exemplary service while protecting the people of Ireland,” she said.