Richard Fallon
Encyclopedia
Richard Fallon was an Irish
police officer (Garda 9936) who received the Scott Medal
. He was the first member of the Garda Síochána
to be killed as a result of the Troubles
.
, and joined the force on 5 November 1947.
On the morning of 3 April 1970 three armed members of Saor Éire were in the process of robbing the Royal Bank of Ireland at Arran Quay, Dublin when Gardaí Paul Firth and Richard Fallon arrived by car. Confronting the three at the front of the bank, Firth and Fallon were repeatedly fired at. Firth, "who was behind Garda Fallon, called back to the patrol car driver to summon assistance before he dived to the ground. As he reached out to seize the gunman nearest to him, Garda Fallon was hit by fire from one of the others, and fell mortally wounded. He had been shot twice, in the shoulder and, fatally, in the neck. He died instantly."
Fallon, married with five young children, was the first member of the Garda Síochána to be shot dead in the line of duty in twenty-eight years.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
police officer (Garda 9936) who received the Scott Medal
Scott Medal
The Walter Scott Medal is a medal awarded annually for bravery to Garda Síochána police officers and firemen. It is not a state award, being at the gift of the commissioner, but the medals are awarded by the Minister for Justice. FDNY recipients are also awarded $500, donated by the Fire Foundation...
. He was the first member of the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
to be killed as a result of the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
.
Biography
Fallon was a native of Moneen, Kilrooskey, County RoscommonCounty Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and joined the force on 5 November 1947.
On the morning of 3 April 1970 three armed members of Saor Éire were in the process of robbing the Royal Bank of Ireland at Arran Quay, Dublin when Gardaí Paul Firth and Richard Fallon arrived by car. Confronting the three at the front of the bank, Firth and Fallon were repeatedly fired at. Firth, "who was behind Garda Fallon, called back to the patrol car driver to summon assistance before he dived to the ground. As he reached out to seize the gunman nearest to him, Garda Fallon was hit by fire from one of the others, and fell mortally wounded. He had been shot twice, in the shoulder and, fatally, in the neck. He died instantly."
Fallon, married with five young children, was the first member of the Garda Síochána to be shot dead in the line of duty in twenty-eight years.