Garda Commissioner renews information appeal as Garda Adrian Donohoe gets posthumous medal

He was killed in the line of duty during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Co. Louth in January 2013.

Commissioner O'Sullivan, who awarded Detective Donohoe the Gold Scott Medal this morning, said: "You know I am very confident of the levels of co-operation that we are getting, not alone from our collegaues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, but also from collegaues internationally.

"It is absolutely our determination that the people that murdered Adrian will be brought to justice."

Also speaking at the Ceremony in Templemore today, Policing Authority Chairperson Josephine Feehily said: "I congratulate the members of the Garda Síochána who were recognised today

for the bravery they have shown in protecting our Community.

"These awards rightly acknowledge the risks that members of the Garda Síochána take every day for our sakes, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice, as in the case of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe."

Nine members of the Gardaí were honoured for their bravery today and the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald adressed the ceremony.

She said: "As we all know, Adrian lost his life defending the community he was so proud to serve.

"Of course, there are no words of mine that could possibly console Adrian’s wife Caroline, their children and their families and friends in their terrible loss, but our enduring sympathy is with them.

"I know that Adrian’s family will also have the enduring support and solidarity of the wider Garda family.

"I hope that it can always be of some small consolation to Adrian’s family and friends to know the depth of the esteem and respect that Adrian’s colleagues and his whole community held for him. That esteem and respect was shared also by the whole nation when they learned of his qualities and mourned his death."

She highlighted that Detective Donohoe is a role model and an inspiration to Gardaí and also paid tribute to the bravery displayed that day by Adrian’s colleague Detective Garda Joseph Ryan who is also being awarded a Silver Scott medal.

She said: "As we reflect on your heroic actions many of us will wonder at the source of your courage and determination to take whatever steps were required to face down criminals or to save a life, at great personal risk, when you were called upon to do so.

"The answer quite simply is, that as a member of An Garda Síochána, courage comes naturally, it is part of what you are, and you draw your strength and courage from the people you work with and from the communities who support you and stand with you."

Of the nine Gardaí who were honoured today, three were awarded a Bronze Scott medal - Sergeant Paul Johnstone, Garda Liam O'Leary, and Garda Thomas Dalton - who showed courage in confronting criminals seeking to carry out a robbery.

Ms Fitzgerald said: "The actions of the nine members who are today receiving the Commissioner’s

Commendation include rescuing a person from the River Liffey and rescuing a father and his three children from a burning building.

"They bring home to us the wide range of circumstances in which members of An Garda Siochána

may be called on to risk their lives. I join with the Commissioner in commending the members concerned."