The coat of arms of John Paul Durkan from Ireland designed by him and me and emblazoned and sealed by me.
Blazon: Argent, a lion passant Gules, grasping a Celtic cross Sable in its dexter forepaw, on a chief Vert, a mural crown with five visible oak leaves Argent.
Motto: «Protect with Honour and Integrity» Sable, with initial letters Gules, over a scroll Argent.
Design rationale: This coat of arms is a distillation of personal heritage and regional identity. The lion passant and the tinctures Gules and Argent are inspired by the Nolan arms; he is married to Dymphna, née Nolan. The oak leaves on the mural crown are derived from the Durkan arms. The Gules represents the ancient bloodline of the Durkan family in this part of Connacht. The colours Gules and Vert reflect the colours of County Mayo, where he was born. Argent, present in both the Durkan and Nolan arms, also evokes the swans on the lakes near the family homestead in County Mayo. The Celtic cross refers to Mayo Abbey, a nearby 7th-century monastic site traditionally linked to St. Colmán, close to Rathnacreeva. The circular stone structure of the mural crown represents Rathnacreeva, a ringfort, he was born in County Mayo to Bob Durkan and Bernie Flynn of Rathnacreeva. They are 5 brothers, the mural crown bears 5 oak leaves joined at their base through the stones of the crown, symbolising the 5 brothers and their connection. The mural crown symbolises civic authority and recalls both Dublin Castle, the former headquarters of An Garda Síochána, where the armiger served as a Garda, and also the dry-stone walls of the west of Ireland. The motto «Protect with Honour and Integrity» encapsulates the ideas of governance, duty, and moral authority.