The Garda, who was on duty at Dublin Castle, was set upon in an unprovoked assault in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Dublin Castle(Image: Michael Echteld/Getty Images)
A female Garda tasked with policing the EU Presidency in Dublin was hospitalised after a brutal random attack this week.
The Garda, who was on duty at Dublin Castle, was set upon in an unprovoked assault in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Sources say a man approached the young woman from behind and began punching her without warning as she performed her duties on Cork Hill, near the entrance of Dublin Castle, around 2:30 a.m.
The man then fled the scene as colleagues of the Garda tended to her and called emergency services. Gardaí pursued the man, ultimately catching up to him and arresting him on suspicion of assault.
He was taken to a Garda station where he was questioned and subsequently charged. He has not yet appeared before the courts however, with a date set for the coming days.
Sources say the injured Garda was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin where she required several stitches. She is now off duty and is said to be “shaken” by the incident, which sources described as “unfortunately not shocking.”
“This is unfortunately the reality on the ground for gardai in town,” a source said. This female member was attacked from behind for no apparent reason.”
St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin(Image: Gareth Chaney Collins)
When asked for comment about the incident the Garda Press Office issued the Irish Mirror with this statement: “While on duty at Cork Hill, Dublin 2, on Wednesday, 23 September, shortly after 2:30am, a female Garda member was assaulted by a lone male. The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested and charged. He is scheduled to appear before the courts at a future date.
“The injured Garda was taken to hospital for treatment and is currently off duty. Investigations are ongoing.”
Gardaí are investigating (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin)
The Garda policing and security operation at Dublin Castle began on June 15 and will continue for the duration of Ireland’s EU Presidency, which runs until December 31.
As a result of the operation and the EU Presidency being run from there, Dublin Castle is closed to the public. More than 270 events are to take place across the country throughout the Presidency.
Gardaí say the government has supported the force with a budget of €125 million for the EU Presidency.
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