FIFTEEN prison officers were yesterday presented with Merit Awards for bravery and courage in the performance of their duty.
The awards were presented by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, at a function in the Prison Service training house, in Bladd House. Portlaoise.
It was the first time such awards had been presented, following the decision in 1991 to establish a scheme which would give recognition to officers who had performed `ban exceptionally heroic deed'.
Five officers were presented with certificates for their teamwork and selflessness during a cell fire in Mountjoy on February 15th, 1995.
They were William J. Tracy, William Conlon, Francis Hoban, George Finglas and Martin Gray.
The work of eight officers in saving lives during a fire in the Health Care unit of Mountjoy on December 18th last was also recognised.
Seamus Cramer, Brendan Cooke, Brian Duggan, Pat Kenny, Anthony Houlihan, Liam Timmins and Declan Deegan received bronze medals for outstanding performance of duty. Chief officer William J. Davis was presented with the Prison Service certificate of merit.
A disturbance at Portlaoise prison on July 22nd, 1991, resulted in the presentation of a silver medal to Derek Brennan while Robert Miller received a bronze medal.