Standing ovation for Laois Offaly gardaí bombed by the IRA #watch

There was sustained applause at the Garda Training College in Templemore today where four retired Laois Offaly gardaí and the family of an officer who paid the ultimate sacrafice, were awarded with Scott medals for bravery.

Gold medals were presented to Jim Cannon, Tom Peters, Ben Thornton and Gerry Bohan. The family of late Garda Michael Clerkin from Monaghan was also presented with a medal to honour him 41 years after he was killed when he and the other me  were blown up in an IRA bomb near Garryhinch on the Laois Offaly border.

Laois Offaly Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlon read the citation. 

Poignantly, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, the son of the man they set out to protect on the night Oliver J Flanagan, presented the men with their medals.

RTE ARCHIVE FOOTAGE OF THE BOMBING