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15th Oct 2019

20 recipients announced for National Bravery Awards

Carl Kinsella

National Bravery Awards

Some of Ireland’s bravest people will be honoured.

An Comhairle na Míre Gaile (the Deeds of Bravery Council) will present 20 National Bravery Awards at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park on Friday.

The awards include one posthumous reward for Michael Gallagher Snr, who helped save 15 people who got into difficulty while sailing 63 years ago. Also honoured will be Gallagher’s sons, Red Michael and James, who are now in their 80s.

Other recipients include retired Garda Desmond Brennan, who foiled a robbery while off-duty by delivering a kung-fu kick to one of the perpetrators.

Many of those to be honoured are members of An Garda Síochána.

The Council awards Certificates of Bravery and may award medals in either Gold, Silver or Bronze.

Below is the full list of recipients.

  • Mr Adrian Brennan – Kilkenny.
  • Retired Garda Desmond Brennan – Dublin.
  • Garda Pauric Deery – Sligo.
  • Mr Basil Harte – Sligo.
  • Mr James Hennessy – Cork.
  • Ms Olive Murphy – Cork.
  • Mr Aonghus O’Briain – Dublin.
  • Mr Michael Hempenstall – Dublin.
  • Garda Donal Tully – Dublin.
  • Garda David Currivan – Dublin.
  • Garda Cathal McGeoghan – Dublin.
  • Mr James Gallagher Senior – Donegal.
  • Mr Mickey ‘Red Michael’ Gallagher – Donegal.
  • Mr Michael Gallagher Senior (RIP) – Donegal.
  • Garda Seán Breheny – Dublin.
  • Mr Gary Kennedy – Mayo.
  • Garda Darren Blackwell – Dublin.
  • Sergeant Gavin Coleman – Dublin.
  • Garda M.J. Carroll – Dublin.
  • Garda Jason Walsh – Dublin.

The Council, which is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, includes the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Lord Mayor of Cork, the Garda Commissioner, the President of the Association of City & County Councils and the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross.