Community praises hero detective

A SOUTHSIDE community has praised a local hero Garda who was awarded a medal for bravery at a ceremony last week.

Detective David Brennan, who is based in Clondalkin, was honoured with the Scott Medal for bravery after foiling an armed robbery in while he was off duty.

Garda Brennan was socialising with his father Dessie, a retired Garda, in Jacob’s Bar in Saggart in July 2013, when a local burst in to say the bookmakers next door was being robbed.

Dave and his father ran out and arrived just as two raiders, one wielding a gun, were about to escape on a motorbike.

Dave drop kicked the armed robber off his getaway bike with a dramatic Kung Fu move and subdued him until gardaí arrived to take him into custody.

A modest David insisted that it was all part of the job but local councillor Trevor Gilligan (FF) insisted that his actions were exemplary.

“On any other day, we could be reading a totally different story, but that was of no consequence to Dave as he air drop kicked an armed robber from his bike,” Cllr Gilligan said.

 “It was like something you would only see in a movie.

“That someone, such as an off-duty Garda, would heroically put himself at risk to uphold the safety of the community was a selfless act of bravery which deserves to be honored.

“We don’t come across such acts too often. Dave put his life on the line.”

Cllr Gilligan added that outside of heroic Dave’s efforts on the day, it must be pointed out that he had worked tirelessly for the community of Clondalkin and surrounding areas for many years.

“On behalf of the community, I thank Dave for his commitment and dedication to the safety of the area,” Cllr Gilligan added.

“We can live safely in our communities knowing that Dave Brennan has got our backs.”

Detective Garda David Brennan was presented with the Scott Medal at the Garda Training College in Templemore on Friday.

Dessie’s brother Kieran was a previous recipient of the Scott Medal, while another brother, Derek, a prison officer, received an award from the Irish Prison Service, for his bravery during a fire at Portlaoise Prison.