Man arrested after garda assaulted in city centre

A man has been arrested after a Garda was attacked 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.

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 being 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 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.”