Four Donegal Gardai are to be awarded coveted Scott Bravery Medals for their part in arresting a shooter who went on the rampage in Glenties in 2020.
Stephen Dowling used a high-velocity rifle as he walked through Glenties on February 22nd, 2020.
Dowling had been out on a shooting trip earlier but went on a drinking binge before arming himself and marching up the Main Street of Glenties.
A number of people had miraculous escapes as bullets discharged by Dowling narrowly missed them.
A Garda operation was set-up before Gardai, both armed and unarmed, managed to overpower the shooter.
Dowling was arrested and subsequently received an eight year prison term at Donegal Circuit Court.
Stephen Dowling leaving Letterkenny District Court. (North West Newspix)
Now Gardai involved in the incident are to be honoured for their heroic efforts with Silver Scott Medals.
They include Sergeant Edward Griffin, 23682K, Detective Garda Darren Carter, 32776L, Detective Garda Enda Jennings, 33019A and Garda Louis Browne, 25440A.
The Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and is awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty’.
In 1924 Colonel Walter Scott donated to An Garda Síochána a $1,000 gold bond, in perpetuity, to endow a bravery medal, the Walter Scott Medal, and included the dies from which all Scott medals would be struck.
The ceremony will take place at the An Garda Síochána National Bureau Headquarters, Walter Scott House. Walter Scott House is named after Colonel Walter Scott.
