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'No special honours' for soldiers, prison staff, gardaí who served during The Troubles

One TD thinks there should be.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS said it has no plans to introduce special honours for Irish security personnel who served during The Troubles, outside of what currently exists.

However, one prison officer was posthumously honoured for his service in 2013.

Derek Keating, a Fine Gael TD, made the call in a parliamentary question earlier this month, asking if a service medal would be awarded to Defence Forces troops, gardaí, and prison officers who served between 1968 and 1998.

He noted that nine gardaí, one soldier, and one prison officer died during this period.

Crime & Punishment - Kidnapping - Tiede Herrama - Monasterevin - 1975 Gardaí negotiating with the IRA kidnappers of the Dutch industrialist Dr Tiede Herrama at a house in Monasterevin, Kildare. PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Keating had suggested that some enhanced recognition is needed, as The Troubles was difficult period to serve during, and awarding a medal now would be ‘a recognition that the State has moved on’.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said two medals are currently awarded to Defence Forces troops – The Service Medal, and its reserves equivalent. Both requires a set period of service.

Crisis at St Brendan's Hospital Fine Gael TD Derek Keating Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

“While acknowledging the significant role of all Defence Forces personnel to the security of the State throughout the period of The Troubles,” the Minister continued, “I am satisfied that these medals meet the need of marking service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and I have no plans to introduce additional medals in this regard.”

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald noted that gardaí can be awarded The Scott Medal for ‘exceptional bravery’. Some 400 of these have been awarded since 1923. Prison officers have three separate awards, the highest of which is The Stack Medal, only one of which has been awarded.

“The Stack Medal was posthumously awarded to the late chief officer Brian Stack on 3 May 2013 by the then Minister for Justice and Equality in recognition of his loyal service to the State,” she said.

Stack was shot in 1983, and died 18 months later from his injuries. The Irish Independent reported in 2013 that the IRA later claimed responsibility for the “unsanctioned” attack.

Read: A major investigation has been launched into the murders of ‘IRA informers’ >

Torture, abuse and a suspect’s death: An RUC holding centre used during the Troubles >

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42 Comments
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    Mute John Johnes
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    Apr 13th 2022, 12:19 PM

    My god do these people live in the same reality?

    Id love to see her singing the same song about climate nonsense if she would be on 30k a year needing to provide for her family renting out a house for 1.9k

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    Mute conriel
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    Apr 13th 2022, 1:44 PM

    @John Johnes: Well said If these people had to endure the pain they are enforcing on people the situation would be very different, This Government does not give a flying F*** IF a loaf of bread is 20 euro, they have made sure it wont effect them or their family or close friends. We’re is a downward spiral again and those with the so called experience are making life worse by the day, they simple do not have the intelligence and knowledge to run a country, God help us.

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    Mute Joe_X
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    Apr 13th 2022, 7:11 PM

    @both of ye.. ever think she is just reporting on the subject she is being paid for? It is like how ye give out about NPHET, but they were reporting on the subject they were being paid for, and government made the decisions.

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    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
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    Apr 13th 2022, 12:20 PM

    “Better balance” down the road perhaps but right now it’s a real struggle for those living in the real world.

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    Mute Michael McGrath
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    Apr 13th 2022, 2:05 PM

    The whole thing is a load of sheight anyway net zero. Net zero means we may still have the same carbon output but we have offset it by having more electric cars and windmills. In other words industrial carbon can remain the same but the plebs have to drive mad expensive electric cars, cycle or walk to work and retrofit their homes mostly at their own expense. Surely even the most ardent climate activist must see through the fact that all the measures are aimed at the small sinner rather than the large industrial abuser

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    Mute Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown
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    Apr 13th 2022, 12:59 PM

    Agree with the goals, but for now, more RealLife™ advices would be good.

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