Political leaders condemn ‘appalling’ attack on young garda in Dublin

Ireland’s leaders have condemned an “appalling attack” on a young Garda officer in Dublin city.

The Garda Representative Association said a young member of the force suffered a “quite terrifying and unprovoked attack” and paid tribute to his colleagues for their bravery.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening during a “routine, high-visibility patrol in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1”, gardai said.

Later, the spokesperson said the injured member “is recovering well at a hospital in Dublin and is expected to be discharged”.

A male, aged in his 20s, who was arrested at the scene, is being held at a Garda station in the Dublin region.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan both condemned the attack and said their thoughts are with the garda.

“Appalled by the shocking unprovoked attack on a garda on duty on Capel Street in Dublin this evening,” Mr Martin said in a post on the social media network X.

“My thoughts are with the injured garda and his colleagues at this time. I wish him a quick recovery. I urge anyone with information to contact the gardai.”

Tanaiste Simon Harris said there should be “zero tolerance” for such attacks.

“An appalling and utterly unacceptable attack on a member of An Garda Siochana in Dublin tonight,” he posted on X.

“I wish him a speedy recovery. There must and will be zero tolerance for such appalling acts of violence.

“Thinking of the garda, his family and his colleagues tonight.”

Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Paul Cleary, said such assaults will “never be accepted or tolerated”.

“I speak for all of An Garda Siochana in Dublin when I say that our thoughts are very much with our colleague who is recovering tonight,” he said.

“This evening’s unprovoked assault is indicative of what gardai can face when they go out on duty to keep people safe.

“There is not always video footage or content shared online, but we experience it in our day-to-day duties and it’s a difficult aspect of the job. Assaults of this nature will never be acceptable or tolerated.

“Our colleague has our full, steadfast support and the range of welfare services will be extended to him when he feels up to it.”

He added: “The suspect involved in this incident has been apprehended and is in Garda custody.

“I want to assure the public that there is no ongoing threat to their safety in the city.”

Gardai said welfare services have been offered and put in place for the injured member and his colleagues.

The Garda Representative Association said a “young probationary member was subject to a quite terrifying and unprovoked attack”.

They added that “only for his bravery and that of his colleagues this incident could have resulted in far worse and unthinkable consequences”.

“Our job is tough. Our members continually run towards situations that others must flee from. But there is never, ever, an excuse for being exposed to such acts of random violence,” they said.

“The attacks being visited upon our members is shocking and we will never accept that being assaulted is part of our job.

“More needs to be done to create a safer working environment where the risk of assault is reduced.”

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald condemned the incident.

“Dreadful news that a garda was brutally attacked on Capel Street earlier this evening while working to keep the people of Dublin safe,” she said in a post on X.

“There must be zero tolerance for such disgraceful behaviour.

“I wish the garda a speedy recovery and commend his colleagues for their quick response.”