A Garda has been left seriously injured after being doused in accelerant during an attack in Co Cavan during the early hours of Monday, February 28.
An Garda Síochána said they are currently investigating all the circumstances of the assault on an unarmed uniform member of the police force which took place in Co Cavan in the early hours of February 28.
At about 2 am on Monday morning, a member of An Garda Síochána on patrol in the Loughan, Blacklion, Co Cavan area contacted colleagues seeking assistance. The member was disorientated and unable to explain the exact circumstances of events taking place.
The officer seeking assistance was located through the Garda AVPLS System and uniformed colleagues attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.
The members found their colleague in a disorientated state. His official marked patrol vehicle was present at the scene. There was a strong smell of an accelerant in the air, his Garda uniform was saturated with an accelerant, and he had signs of physical injuries.
The Garda was taken to Sligo University Hospital where he continues to be assessed and receive treatment this morning, for non-life-threatening injuries.
An Garda Síochána sealed off the scene and the Garda Technical Bureau to carry out an examination.
An incident room has been established under a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) at Cavan Garda Station.
The Garda member and his family have and will continue to be provided with the assistance of the Employee Assistance Service and all of An Garda Síochána support services.
Chief Superintendent McGovern, Cavan Monaghan Garda Division said: "This is a very serious and concerning attack on an unarmed member of An Garda Síochána going about their normal duties keeping people safe. Thankfully the incident has not resulted in a fatality or other serious injury.
"The exact motive for this attack is yet to be determined but it is extremely concerning that a member of An Garda Síochána appears to have been targeted and doused in some form of accelerant, the exact intent of this attack is unknown at this time.
"I am appealing for any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí.”
An Garda Síochána said they would like to speak to any person driving on the N16, Cavan, passing Loughan House Prison, or the R206 and R207 at their junction with the N16, between 7 pm Sunday February 27, 2022 and 3 am Monday February 28, 2022, and in particular, any person with video footage (dashcam or another format) to contact investigating Gardaí.
An Garda Síochána are appealing for any person with any information on this incident to contact Cavan Garda Station at 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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