A respected garda was in a critical condition in hospital last night following a brutal ‘unprovoked and random’ attack in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
The garda was one of two off-duty members who were ‘jumped from behind’ by a man on the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The two officers, aged in their 40s and 30s, were on their way home from their unit Christmas party when they were attacked.
One of the gardaí suffered serious head injuries and was last night in a critical condition at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.
The second garda, who is in his 30s, received minor injures and was treated at St James’s Hospital before being released yesterday.
The president of the Garda Representative Association representing rank-and-file officers, Mark O’Meara said last night: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with our injured colleagues and their loved ones at this difficult time.’
‘The random attack on two serving gardaí has thrust the breakdown of law and order in Dublin back under the glare of the public spotlight.’
A criminal investigation into the attack is now underway and detectives at Pearse Street Garda Station have established an incident room which is being overseen by a senior investigating officer.
Last night a man was arrested in connection with the assault and is being held at a Dublin garda station.
Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area, but early indications suggest the two off-duty gardaí were set upon by one individual.
A source said the attack was ‘completely unprovoked and random’.
They told the MoS: ‘Both are really well-regarded members based in the city who decided to head home a little early from their Christmas get-together.’
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
‘Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault which occurred at the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street, Dublin 2, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday December 14 2024,’ gardaí said in a statement.
‘The incident occurred at approximately 1.30am. Two males were injured during the course of this incident.
‘One of the men, aged in his 40s, has been taken to Beaumont Hospital Dublin where he is currently in critical
condition.
‘A second man was taken to St James’s Hospital Dublin for medical treatment and has been subsequently discharged.’
The statement added: ‘Any persons who may have camera footage from the Dame Street/Temple Bar area, between 1am and 1.45am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.
‘Gardaí are particularly looking to speak with any taxi drivers who were driving in the Dame Street area at the time and may have footage.
‘Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.’
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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