Heroic Louth gardai awarded Scott Medals for apprehending stabbing suspect

Two local Gardaí, who arrested the man who stabbed a 24 year old Japanese worker to death in Dundalk three years ago, have been awarded a Scott Medal fortheir bravery in the line of duty. Gda Damien Welby, who is based at Blackrock Garda Station and Gda Alan Lynch, who is based in Dundalk, were presented with the medals by Deputy Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon last week.

The pair, who are both natives of Co Donegal,  received the honour for their bravery, courage and resolve in arresting an armed suspect who had fatally stabbed  24 year-old Yosuke Sasaki on the Long Avenue,  Dundalk on the morning of January 3 2018. The attacker went on to stab another man at the Inner Relief Road and assaulted a third man with a wooden post at Quay Street.

It appeared that all three random attacks had been carried out by the same person and a description of the suspect was circulated to all Garda Units in Dundalk.

Garda Damien Welby subsequently observed the suspect on the Inner Relief Road, Dundalk. He was carrying a wooden post and was suspected to be carrying a weapon. Garda Alan Lynch also arrived at the Inner Relief Road to Garda Welby.

The suspect was highly aggressive and agitated towards both Gardaí who were now out of their vehicles and engaging with him. Both then managed to restrain him and he was subsequently disarmed and arrested him.

Egyptian native Mohamed Morei subsequently appeared before the courts and  was found not guilty by reason of insanity and remains in detention in the Central Medical Hospital, Dundrum.