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Two Kerry gardaí to be honoured posthumously with Scott Medal for bravery today

May 22, 2026 09:27
By radiokerrynews
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Two Kerry gardaí to be honoured posthumously with Scott Medal for bravery today

Two Kerry gardaí are among those to be recognised with the Scott Medal for bravery today.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly will host a ceremony to award deceased, retired and serving members of An Garda Síochána.

Twelve recipients will be honoured this morning, including posthumous medals for the Kerry Gardaí.

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Sergeant James Woods and Garda Patrick Spillane will receive the Gold and Silver Scott Medal respectively posthumously, for their bravery in relation to an incident in 1923.

On 3rd December 1923, Sergeant James Woods and Garda Patrick Spillane were on duty in Scartaglin Garda Station.

The station itself was the property of Jeremiah Lyons and his family who remained living in the house alongside the Gardaí.

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At around 8.30pm, the garda station was attacked by a group of armed and masked men believed to be local anti-treaty volunteers.

Sergeant Woods and Garda Spillane were both on station duty and unarmed.

Garda Spillane was beaten by the raiders and his uniform was forcibly removed at gunpoint.

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Meanwhile, Garda Spillane was being held at gunpoint and raiders began searching for other garda members.

The masked men went throughout the house, ransacking various rooms.

On hearing the commotion, Sergeant Woods entered the kitchen area where he was ordered to hand over all of his property, including his uniform.

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Sergeant Woods refused to hand over his uniform, he was forced at gunpoint to the upstairs area of the house.

Sergeant Woods was fatally wounded during this incident.

Subsequently, Garda Spillane cycled the 8km journey to Castleisland to report the incident and seek assistance.

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The men will be recognised posthumously today for their outstanding bravery, commitment and professionalism during this incident.

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