Mayo Garda's bravery recognised in national ceremony
Former Detective Sergeant Cyril Meehan (left) after receiving his award
A retired Garda Sergeant has been presented with two National Bravery Awards for his role in two heroic interventions.
Cyril Meehan, a native of Westport, received the awards from the Dáil's Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghál at a ceremony at Farmleigh House in Dublin.
The first award related to an incident that occurred on the evening of February 19, 2001, when a man entered Waterford Garda Station brandishing a knife. The man was aggressive and self-harming and Gardaí were concerned for his safety and the safety of any members of the public who might enter the office.
Sgt Meehan and the late Gda Noel Power tackled the man, who made several attempts to stab them. After a struggle, the Gardaí managed to overpower and safely disarm the man before he could hurt himself any further or endanger any members of the public.
The second incident occurred in the early hours of June 7, 2002. Gardaí responded to reports of a distressed man on the Quay in Waterford. The man had doused himself in petrol and was threatening to set himself on fire. After attempts to calm the man had been unsuccessful, the man tried to strike his cigarette lighter and the Garda members decided they had to intervene.
Despite the significant risk they faced, they rushed him as a group to prevent him from serious harm. He made several attempts to ignite the lighter but the Gardaí, now soaked in petrol themselves, struggled with him and managed to grab the lighter from his hand before subduing him safely. The man was later taken to hospital where he was treated and placed under observation.
For both incidents, Sgt Meehan and his colleagues were awarded Certificates of Bravery.
