Political leaders condemn 'terrifying and unprovoked' stabbing of garda in Dublin city centre

LAST UPDATE | 10 hrs ago

POLITICIANS AND GARDAÍ have condemned an “appalling” stabbing of a young garda officer in Dublin city yesterday afternoon.

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 stabbing occurred yesterday evening during a “routine, high-visibility patrol in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1”, gardaí said.

The garda in question was wounded in the tricep area of his right arm, and his stab vest sustained some impact damage.

Later, the spokesperson said the injured member “is recovering well at a hospital in Dublin”.

He has since been discharged from hospital.

The garda, who is currently on a probationary period having only recently completed his training.

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

Pepper spray and batons were used to detain the suspect. A double-edged tactical knife was recovered by gardaí at the scene.

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,” Martin said in a statement.

“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.

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“An appalling and utterly unacceptable attack on a member of An Garda Siochana in Dublin tonight,” Harris said.

“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”.

“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,” Cleary added.

Gardaí 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.

“There must be zero tolerance for such disgraceful behaviour. I wish the garda a speedy recovery and commend his colleagues for their quick response.”