More Garda bravery: Explosive scene
To paraphrase Shakespeare, the evil that some gardaí have done will live after them but the good that most members of the force do every day risks being forgotten or ignored.
While it was only right and proper to expose shortcomings and wrongdoings within the force, it is also important to acknowledge and acclaim the courage exhibited every day by thousands of gardaí.
That courage was exemplified this week on the streets of Dublin by three unarmed officers — a sergeant and two gardaí — who braved machine-gun fire to subdue and arrest a cocaine-crazed criminal in the built-up suburb of Ballymun on the city’s northside.
The notorious gang member was firing his gun in broad daylight and was suspected of also carrying a grenade.
What the Garda officers did by giving chase and tackling him would test the resolve of the bravest of the brave.
Just like members of the Defence Forces on peacekeeping duty abroad, many members of An Garda Siochána put themselves in harm’s way to protect vulnerable citizens at home.
To date, 88 members of the force have paid the ultimate price.
