A Laois Garda has received a prestigious medal following a remarkable act of bravery that saved lives.
Sergeant Pat Carroll, who hails from Abbeyleix, was one of 13 recipients of Scott Medals for bravery from Commissioner Drew Harris in Dublin Castle on Monday.
Pat, a son of Paddy and Mary Carroll from Abbeyleix, is attached to Ashford Garda Station and has been stationed in Wicklow since 1984.
On November 15 2018, Gardai received a call that a man had called to St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Avoca, Co Wicklow, to speak with the priest.
The man was in an agitated state and requested to speak with Gardaí. When asked why, the male proceeded to take a firearm and a knife from his pocket. He informed the priest that the firearm was loaded and stated ‘I could do damage to myself or you’.
The priest encouraged the man to wait in the church for Gardai to arrive. Sergeant Pat Carroll was one of the first to respond and took control of the scene.
On the arrival of other Gardai, the man exited the church, demanded to speak with a Sergeant and then returned to the church. The man subsequently exited the church and Sergeant Carroll identified himself.
With the knowledge that the man was agitated and armed with a firearm and knife, Sergeant Carroll struck up a conversation with him in close proximity across the open railings.
The man spoke about killing himself and requested that Sergeant Carroll enter the church with him. Sergeant Carroll refused to go into the church with him but offered to meet him at the church gate and talk to him.
The pair met at the church gate and spoke. The man then became less agitated. Sergeant Carroll then entered the church yard and sat on a bench, the man stood beside him and they continued the conversation.
The man then returned inside the church and during that time, two members of the Armed Support Unit arrived. Sergeant Carroll remained in the church yard for the man to return.
The man walked out of the church again towards Sergeant Carroll who asked him if he had anything in his possession, the man replied ‘I have a gun’, and produced a gun. He was holding the gun by the barrel and the hand-grip was pointed towards Sergeant Carroll.
Sergeant Carroll requested the man to drop the gun three times, however, he then spun the gun in his hand and the gun ended up with the barrel pointed towards Sergeant Carroll.
The man then ejected the magazine from the gun and dropped the gun to the ground. On searching the man, Sergeant Carroll found a knife in his possession. The man was taken into safe custody by members of the Armed Support Unit. He was subsequently charged and convicted of firearms and offensive weapon offences.
Speaking to LaoisToday after receiving his reward for bravery, Pat said it was nice to be able to enjoy the day with his wife Val and children Shane and Sarah.
He said: “It was a huge honour for all us and it was an amazing day.
“It is lovely to be recognised for what happened.”
Reflecting on that fateful day almost three years ago, Patrick is modest about his actions.
He said: “I wasn’t terrified but you would be fearful, that does enter your head.
“You don’t go out in the morning looking for an incident like that but whatever happens, you deal with it as well and as calmly as you can.
“The most important thing that day was to keep everybody safe – and thankfully that was what happened.
“The poor man was agitated and he needed help and thankfully we were able to provide him with that help.”
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