PRIVATE Ciara Shanahan, of Askeaton, County Limerick, was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal with Merit for her actions on the night of an attempted murder of army chaplain Fr Paul Murphy at Renmore Barracks, Galway, in summer 2024.
She had been on guard duty at the time, immediately Âalerted the barracks guard and attempted to stop the attack while being unarmed.
Fellow medal recipient Fr Murphy, who required surgery for his injuries, said he forgave his attacker before hugging him in the courtroom following a trial over the attack.
Guard Commander Corporal Daniel Padden and barrack guard member Private Dylan Geraghty were also honoured.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Helen McEntee and Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.