Garda recovering from injuries after doused in accelerant during ‘cowardly’ assault

The Garda has renewed its appeal for information on a member who was the victim of a “cowardly” assault in a rural area of Cavan in the early hours of the morning.

Garda Padraig Scott was doused in an accelerant and assaulted when he encountered his assailants while driving in patrol car from Cavan town to Blacklion on February 28th last.

It is understood he has little memory of the incident as a result of the assault and that mystery still surrounds the attackers’ motives.

One line of inquiry being explored is that Garda Scott interrupted an effort to smuggle contraband over the walls of Loughan House Prison.

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The garda was found, along with his patrol car, at a location near the prison after colleagues used the car’s GPS tracker to locate him. Due to his injuries he had been unable to give a clear location over the radio.

In a statement on Monday, Garda headquarters said Garda Scott, who plays senior intercounty football for Roscommon, remains off-duty recovering from his injuries

“He continues to be fully supported by his family, friends and colleagues and is being provided with welfare and any other supports required from the Garda Employee Assistance Service.”

The gardaí said it is continuing to investigate "all of the circumstances" of the attack on a "unarmed, uniformed member of an Garda Síochána. "

On Sunday night it carried out a checkpoint at the site of the attack on the N16 road in Loughan.

Chief Supt Alan McGovern said Garda Scott is a “diligent” member who was going about his normal duties keeping people safe.

“But as a result of a cowardly attack by unknown criminals he did not finish duty as normal that night; Padraig was hospitalised and remains off duty recovering from his injuries and the trauma of this attack.”

Chief Supt McGovern said the investigation is making progress and that he thanks the public for their support.

“I continue to appeal for any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí.

Garda headquarters asked that anyone with information contact the investigation team at Cavan Garda station or the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111.

“Any information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.”

It also continues to appeal to any person “driving on the N16, Cavan, passing Loughan House Prison, or the R206 and R207 at their junction with the N16, between 7pm Sunday 27th February 2022 and 3am Monday 28th February 2022, and in particular any person with video footage (dashcam or other format) to contact investigating Gardaí.”