The Scott Medal stands as Ireland’s highest honour for police bravery, a symbol of the exceptional courage displayed by members of An Garda Síochána in the line of duty. As we explore the history of this prestigious award and the remarkable stories behind it, we gain insight into the extraordinary sacrifices made by the guardians of our nation’s peace.
Origins of the Scott Medal
The Scott Medal was established in 1924, just two years after the formation of An Garda Síochána. It came about through the generosity of Colonel Walter Scott, an American of Irish descent, who donated $1,000 in gold to create an award recognising exceptional bravery within Ireland’s new police force. The medal bears the inscription “Garda Síochána na hÉireann” (Guardians of the Peace of Ireland) and “For Courage” on its face.
What makes the Scott Medal particularly significant is its rarity. In the century since its inception, fewer than 400 medals have been awarded, underscoring the exceptional nature of the acts it recognises.
Tales of Extraordinary Courage
The first recipient of the Scott Medal was Garda James Mulroy in 1925. Mulroy displayed remarkable bravery when he disarmed a man who had fired shots at him and another officer in County Clare. This inaugural award set the standard for the exceptional courage that would be recognised in the decades to follow.
Perhaps one of the most poignant stories is that of Garda Michael Reynolds, who was posthumously awarded the Scott Medal with Gold distinction in 1975. Reynolds, while off-duty, pursued armed bank robbers through the streets of Dublin. Despite being unarmed himself, he continued the pursuit until he was fatally shot. His sacrifice exemplifies the ultimate commitment to duty that extends beyond working hours.
In 1980, Garda Seamus Quaid made the ultimate sacrifice while investigating IRA activities in County Wexford. During a vehicle check, he was fatally shot by an armed suspect. His posthumous Gold Scott Medal stands as a testament to his courage during one of the most challenging periods in Irish security history.
Women of Courage
The first female recipient of the Scott Medal was Garda Sheila Armstrong in 1977. Armstrong demonstrated exceptional bravery when she tackled an armed man who had fired shots in a public house in Dublin. Her actions not only broke gender barriers within the force but also highlighted that courage knows no gender.
More recently, Garda Ciara Galvin received the medal in 2018 for her actions in saving a drowning man from the River Liffey. Despite the treacherous conditions and considerable personal risk, she entered the water and kept the man afloat until emergency services arrived. Her story represents the modern face of bravery in An Garda Síochána.
Contemporary Heroes
The nature of police bravery has evolved with the changing landscape of crime and public safety challenges in Ireland. Recent Scott Medal recipients have been recognised for confronting armed criminals, saving lives during disasters, and intervening in domestic violence situations at great personal risk.
The 2020 ceremony saw medals awarded to several Gardaí who responded to the Regency Hotel shooting in 2016, demonstrating courage in the face of organised crime violence that has become a significant challenge for modern policing in Ireland.
A Living Tradition
The Scott Medal continues to serve as both recognition of individual courage and as an institutional reminder of the values that underpin An Garda Síochána. Each medal tells a story not just of personal bravery, but of the evolving challenges faced by Ireland’s police force throughout its history.
The medal ceremonies themselves have become important traditions, attended by the Garda Commissioner, government ministers, and family members of recipients. These occasions serve as powerful reminders of the human stories behind policing statistics and the personal courage that sustains public safety in our communities.
Preserving the Legacy
Today, the Garda Museum in Dublin Castle houses several Scott Medals and tells the stories of their recipients. These exhibits provide a tangible connection to the history of exceptional bravery in Irish policing and ensure these stories are preserved for future generations.
As a historian of An Garda Síochána, I believe these medals represent more than just individual acts of courage—they collectively tell the story of our national police force’s commitment to public service, often at tremendous personal cost.
The Scott Medal remains not just the highest award for bravery within An Garda Síochána, but a symbol of the exceptional character required of those who choose to serve and protect the citizens of Ireland. As we face new challenges in policing and public safety, the legacy of the Scott Medal recipients continues to inspire the next generation of Gardaí to uphold the highest standards of courage and service.
Written by Sean Daly Garda