Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 16132Murder · Co. Tipperary · 21 Mar 1931

Posthumous bravery award for Tipperary Garda Superintendent shot dead in 1931

On 21 March 1931, Superintendent John Curtin, a man, was on duty at Golden Garda Station in Tipperary when he was ambushed by gunmen. He was shot several times and fatally wounded just outside his home. He had been threatened months before and was unarmed. On 9 September 2024, Tipperary Live reported that the Garda Commissioner will posthumously award him the Gold Scott Medal at a ceremony in Dublin, and no suspects or court proceedings are mentioned.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Superintendent John Curtin, a Garda superintendent, was ambushed by gunmen.
Where
The incident is reported as taking place at Golden Garda Station, and Curtin was shot just outside his home.
When
The shooting took place on 21 March 1931, when Curtin was on duty.
Weapon
Gunmen shot Curtin several times, and he was fatally wounded.
Cause
Curtin had been threatened months before the shooting.
Other details
  • Curtin was unarmed and was carrying out his duties when he was shot.
  • On 9 September 2024, Tipperary Live reported that Curtin is to be posthumously awarded the Gold Scott Medal.
  • The Garda Commissioner is to present the medal at a ceremony in Dublin.
  • The Gold Scott Medal is awarded for most exceptional bravery and heroism in the execution of duty involving risk of life.
Investigation
No suspects, arrests or charges are mentioned in the coverage.
In court
No court proceedings are mentioned in the coverage.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was ambushed by gunmen. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatHe was shot several times and fatally wounded just outside his home. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Golden Garda Station. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenSuperintendent John Curtin was on duty at Golden Garda Station on March 21, 1931. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceHe is to be posthumously awarded the Gold Scott Medal by the Garda Commissioner at a ceremony in Dublin. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherHe had been threatened months before the shooting. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe Gold Scott Medal is awarded for exceptional bravery involving the risk of life in the execution of duty. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Sep2024
    Othertipperarylive.ie, first report
    Tipperary Garda Superintendent to be awarded posthumous bravery award

    Historic 1931 killing of a Garda superintendent, reported in the context of a posthumous Gold Scott Medal award. No suspects or court proceedings are mentioned.

    victim, John Curtin, irish (judged from name)John Curtin