A GARDA who was almost killed by a mob in Cork in July, 1992 has been awarded the Force's highest award for bravery.
Garda James Grogan (36), from Cork, was presented with the Scott Gold Medal yesterday by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, at a ceremony at the Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary.
Garda Grogan was knocked unconscious by a missile during a riot at Togher Road in July, 1992 while he was attempting to arrest car thieves. A mob kicked and beat him while he was unconscious on the ground.
He was rescued by colleagues and only recovered consciousness after surgery. He remains handicapped with the loss of motion in his left side as a result of the injuries and retired from the force in 1994.
He said yesterday that the attack on him showed that "the people who protect society have an equal right to be protected". Gardai deserved all the credit and support society could give, he said.
He dedicated his award to his wife, Gwen and two young sons. His eldest son, Stephen, now three, was born while Garda Grogan was still in intensive care.
Seven other gardai received Bronze Scott Medals yesterday. They are:
. Sgt Peter O'Boyle, of Terenure Station, Dublin - for whom this was a second Scott Medal - and Sgt Christopher Mangan, of Sundrive Station, for their part in confronting armed robbers in October, 1993.
Sgt O'Boyle and Sgt Mangan pursued the robbers despite being repeatedly threatened with shooting by the men. They overpowered one of the robbers at a flats complex and recovered money stolen from a building society as well as guns;
. Sgt Richard McDonnell, Special Detective Unit, who also pursued armed robbers who fired shots at his patrol car during an incident in north Dublin in July, 1990. The chase ended in a brief gun battle in Fairview in which the two robbers, William Doyle and Thomas Wilson were shot dead;
. Garda Denis Madden, of Mill Street Station, Galway, who rescued a man who had jumped into the canal at Lower Dominic Street, Galway, in December, 1994. Garda Madden dived into the freezing water and was twice pulled under water as the man resisted attempts to rescue him.
Garda Madden finally dragged the man to the canal wall where he was secured with a rope. A former junior hurling champion, Garda Madden was almost swept away by the strong current and suffered severely from the cold.
. Garda John Keyes, Traffic Corps, Dublin Castle, who chased and disarmed a robber who had used a handgun to rob a bank in Dame Street, Dublin, in March 1994. The raider ran to a car where he produced a butcher's knife but was again disarmed by Garda Keyes;
. Garda Thomas Flaherty, Galway, who dived into the sea at New Dock Road to rescue a woman who had fallen and who had disappeared under water, in March, 1994. Garda Flaherty managed to find the woman and bring her ashore. Both suffered from severe cold and the woman was unconscious but recovered;
. Garda Brendan Walshe, Blanchardstown, Dublin, who was wounded in the arm when an armed robber fired at him in Ballyfermot, in June, 12.94. Garda Walshe returned tire, wounding the gunman who was then overpowered by Garda Walshe and a colleague.