Garda killed in Tidey rescue awarded gold Scott Medal

An Garda Siochana today recognised the bravery of a Garda who, along with Moate-based soldier Private Patrick Kelly, lost his life in December 1983 following the kidnapping of Mr Don Tidey, by armed members of the IRA

Garda Gary Sheehan, a native of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, was involved in a rescue operation along with Defence Forces personnel in December 1983 following the kidnapping of Mr Don Tidey, by armed members of the IRA.

Garda Sheehan was posthumously awarded the gold Scott medal for bravery today at a ceremony in Dublin Castle, where 14 other Gardai involved in the events of December 1983 were also honoured.

On 16th December 1983, when Mr Tidey, a prominent businessman, was in his twenty-third day of captivity a large search party of members of An Garda Síochána supported by Irish Army personnel assigned to the 58th battalion, based in Finner Camp, Co Donegal, were undertaking a search of a Drumcroman Wood, Derradda, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.

The IRA hideout was discovered and Mr Don Tidey was released from capture.

During the course of the search Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly were shot, fatally wounded and died at the scene.

The story had begun on November 24, 1983. Tidey was taking his young daughter to school when he was abducted in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, by armed members of the IRA posing as members of An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána launched a major operation for the purpose of attempting to locate Mr Tidey and to identify those involved in his abduction.

On December 14, 1983, the focus of the nationwide search for Mr Tidey switched to Co Leitrim and involved participation by a large contingent of members of An Garda Síochána, including Garda recruits who had recently joined An Garda Síochána, but had not yet completed their training at the Garda Training Centre in Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

On December 16, 1983, when Mr Tidey was in his 23rd day of captivity and upon receipt of confidential information, members of An Garda Síochána were joined by Irish Army personnel assigned to the 58th battalion, based in Finner Camp, Co Donegal, in undertaking a search of a wooded area located at Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.

The search party was divided into a number of smaller groups. Aware of the dangers involved, Garda Sheehan together with his team members, entered Drumcroman Wood, Derradda, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim and proceeded to search very difficult terrain made up of dense undergrowth which was impenetrable except from crawling on their hands and knees.

During the course of the search, the hide in which Mr. Tidey was being held captive was located. At great personal risk, Garda Sheehan continued to move forward in the knowledge that he would likely face armed resistance from the IRA gang. As he approached the area, Garda Gary Sheehan was shot and fatally wounded as was Army Private Patrick Kelly.

The search party had located those responsible for the kidnapping of Mr. Tidey and caused the assailants to flee. Mr Tidey was rescued and removed to safety, while his heavily armed captors, still firing, fled to vehicles and made good their escape.

Despite only having recently joined An Garda Síochána, Garda Gary Sheehan and his fellow recruit Gardaí, bravely participated in the search to locate Mr Tidey and ensure he would achieve freedom from his captors, without being harmed.

The bravery of Garda Gary Sheehan greatly contributed to ensuring that Mr Tidey was rescued from his kidnappers. However, in doing so Garda Gary Sheehan made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life in the line of duty and service to his country. Subsequently, three people were convicted relating to criminal charges arising from their involvement in the abduction of Mr Tidey. No person to date has been tried for the capital murder of Garda Gary Sheehan.

For exceptional courage and bravery, involving the loss of his life in the execution of his duty, the Gold Scott Medal was posthumously awarded to the late Garda Sheehan, RIP.

The full list of Garda awarded Scott Medals today is:

Garda Gary Sheehan (Posthumously), Gold

Deputy Commissioner Walter Ignatius Rice, Silver

Detective Sergeant Thomas Conroy, Silver

Sergeant Aiden McGuinness, Silver

Sergeant Joseph O’Connor, Silver

Sergeant Francis Smith, Silver

Detective Garda James Connelly, Silver

Detective Garda Eugene O’Sullivan, Silver

Detective Garda Noel McMahon, Silver

Detective Superintendent William Somers (Posthumously), Bronze

Detective Inspector Paul Gillen, Bronze

Sergeant Desmond O’Rourke (Posthumously), Bronze

Sergeant Eugene Collins, Bronze

Garda Denis Breen (Posthumously), Bronze

Detective Garda Francis Morgan, Bronze