Special honour for Retired Sergeant Liam

Commendation for role in search for kidnapped businessman Don Tidey in 1983

An act of courageous conduct by a member of An Garda Siochana over 40 years ago was honoured on Friday morning last when retired Sergeant, Liam Wall, was presented with a Scott Medal Commendation First Class. The commendation, which was signed by the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, was presented on behalf of An Garda Síochána by Superintendent Brian Conway, Garda College. The ceremony, which took place outside Liam’s home in Richmond Grove in Templemore, was attended by former colleagues and friends, Reggie Barrett (retired Sergeant), William Ryan (retired Garda), and Kevin Ludlow (retired Assistant Commissioner).

They were part of an informal committee who sought that Liam’s courageous conduct on the December 16, 1983 be considered for an award. On that day, while serving as a Sergeant, Liam Wall supervised a cohort of 10 Recruit Gardaí at Drumcroman Wood, Derradda, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, during a search for Don Tidey, a business executive who had been kidnapped on November 24, 1983 and held by the IRA. At that time, Liam was permanently stationed at the Garda Training Centre, Templemore, and the Recruit Gardaí were undergoing initial training at the centre. The cohort of Recruit Gardaí, under the control and supervision of Sergeant Wall, included Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan, and this group formed part of a large Garda/Army search operation for Don Tidey.

On December 16, 1983, during the course of the search, the hideout in which Mr Tidey was being held captive was located and in the ensuing incident, Recruit Garda Gary Sheehan and a member of the Defence Forces, Private Patrick Kelly from Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co Westmeath, were shot and fatally wounded. Mr Tidey was successfully rescued while his heavily armed captors, still firing, fled to vehicles and made good their escape. During the search and subsequent incident on that fateful day, Retired Sergeant Liam Wall was deemed to have displayed courageous conduct, where there was a risk to his life during the execution of his duty.

After the award ceremony, Liam thanked all those who made the award to him possible. Those present took a moment to reminisce about the bravery of all the members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces involved and remembered in particular Gary Sheehan and Patrick Kelly who gave their lives in the service of the State that day, more than 40 years ago.

Well done Liam.