Garda stabbed while on patrol in Dublin city centre, man (20s) arrested

A garda was injured on Tuesday evening after an unprovoked assault in Dublin city centre.

According to reports, the garda was stabbed multiple times.

The unprovoked attack occurred on Capel Street at around 6pm, the Garda Press Office confirmed.

The garda was on routine high-visibility patrol in the city when he suffered stab wounds to his arm and side, according to The Irish Times.

He has been taken to hospital in Dublin for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, where he remains, but is expected to be discharged.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained at a garda station in the Dublin region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The Irish Times added that the incident occurred when two gardaí responded to reports of a man armed with a large blade, believed to be a kitchen knife, and after a struggle, the man was restrained by gardaí using their batons.

Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Paul Cleary, said that he speaks for "all of An Garda Síochána in Dublin when I say that our thoughts are very much with our colleague who is recovering tonight.

"This evening’s unprovoked assault is indicative of what Gardaí 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," he said.

"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 that the suspect involved in the 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," Mr Cleary said.

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 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 being part of our job.

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

Sinn Féin 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 the social media network 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.”

Garda welfare services have been offered and put in place for the injured member and his colleagues, the Garda Press Office said.

Additional reporting by PA.