Scott medals awarded to two gardai killed in line of duty in Tipperary over a century ago

The Garda Commissoner Justin Kelly is this morning hosting a ceremony in Dublin at which Gold Scott medals for exceptional bravery will be awarded to two deceased gardaí who died in the line of duty while investigating a shooting incident in Carrick-on-Suir in 1924. 

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan is attending the ceremony at the Garda Síochána National Bureau Headquarters at Walter Scott House in Dublin at which nine Scott medals will be awarded. 

The Gold Scot medal is being awarded posthumously to Sgt. Thomas Griffin and Garda John Alphonsus Murrin, who were shot on May 6,1924 while investigating a shooting incident involving a Garda colleague which had occurred the previous day in Cregg near Carrick-on-Suir. 

As part of the investigation, the suspect involved in the shooting was identified.

In an effort to apprehend the suspect, Sergeant Griffin and Garda Murrin made their way to a house in the Carrick-on-Suir sub-district, in the full knowledge that they were searching for an individual who was in possession of a gun and who had shot at one of their colleagues.

Sergeant Griffin and Garda Murrin, who were both unarmed, approached the suspect’s house, despite the potential danger.

Upon arrival at the house, and without warning, an individual opened fire on Sergeant Griffin and Garda Murrin.

Regrettably, on the May 7, 1924, Sergeant Thomas Griffin lost his fight for life and on October 19, 1924, Garda John Alphonsus Murrin lost his fight for life, as a result of fatal injuries they sustained in the line of duty.