Two bravery awards for former Donegal detective sergeant who disarmed knife attacker

A former Detective Sergeant in Donegal has been presented with two bravery awards.

Retired Detective Sergeant Cyril Meehan, who now lives in Letterkenny having served at stations all over Donegal, was presented with his awards on Friday.

Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD made the presentations at Farmleigh House.

On the evening of 19 February 2001, a man entered the public office of Waterford Garda station brandishing a knife.

Garda Noel Power (RIP) and Sergeant Meehan tackled the man, who made several attempts to stab them.

They disarmed him safely before he could hurt himself any further or endanger members of the public.

For their actions, Garda Power and Sergeant Meehan were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

Sergeant Meehan was also awarded a Certificate of Bravery following an incident on the Quay in Waterford in the early hours of June 7, 2002 when Gardai responded to reports of a distressed man.

The man had doused himself in petrol and was threatening to set himself on fire. After attempts to calm the man had been unsuccessful, the man tried to strike his cigarette lighter and the Garda members decided they had to intervene.

The man was later taken to hospital where he was treated and placed under observation.

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For their actions, Garda Seamus Ronan, Garda Liam Fitzpatrick, Garda Conor Lucey and Sergeant Meehan were each awarded a Certificate of Bravery.

A native of County Mayo, Meehan served in Buncrana, Burnfoot, Castlefin, Burtonport and Letterkenny. Before retiring in 2013, he was a Detective Sergeant covering all of Donegal.

After spending eight years living in Lithuania, he has returned to live in Letterkenny. He has written books, The Ideal Guard in 2015 and In Dark Blue in 2018.