A member of the Garda’s Armed Support Unit (ASU) who was violently assaulted while off duty in Dublin city centre at the weekend sustained a fractured skull and a bleed to his brain.
The prime suspect was arrested on Saturday night in the city. Some items he was found with are believed to have been stolen during the attack on the garda and a colleague, who was less seriously injured.
Gardaí investigating the assault say it was unprovoked and is being treated as a suspected robbery. On Sunday evening, they arrested a second man they believe was involved. Both suspects remained in Garda custody early on Monday.
It is understood the two off-duty gardaí were socialising at a Christmas party in the city centre on Friday night into Saturday morning. They were assaulted at the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street, Dublin 2, at about 1.30am.
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The most seriously injured garda, who is in his 40s, was struck from behind. He remains in Beaumont Hospital undergoing medical treatment and his condition has been described by Garda Headquarters as “critical”.
It is understood he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. The operation is said to have gone well and doctors are positive about his prognosis.
The second garda attempted to tackle the attackers and was himself assaulted. He was taken to St James’s Hospital for medical treatment but has since been discharged. He has been able to assist the criminal investigation and has spoken to gardaí in Pearse Street carrying out the inquiry.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris visited both of the injured gardaí in hospital at the weekend.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said his “thoughts are with the off duty gardaí” who had been “victims of an alarming and egregious attack” in the city. “The perpetrators of this attack will face the full rigours of the law,” he added.
Tánaiste Michéal Martin said he was “appalled by the unprovoked and brutal attack”, adding his thoughts were with the gardaí and their families. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee described the attack as “appalling”, adding her thoughts were with the garda who remained in hospital, whom she hoped recovered quickly.
Gardaí have gathered CCTV footage from the area of the assault and they believe the prime suspect was also involved into other incidents just before the attack on the two off-duty gardaí.
The suspect is a low level criminal who has come to the attention of the Garda before, including for a very violent assault on a man in Temple Bar, for which he was jailed. That crime, which occurred several years ago, also involved the theft of items from the victim, who was aided when an off-duty garda intervened and apprehended the attacker.
The suspect, who has served a number of prison sentences, is from Dublin and also has previous convictions for possessing stolen property, possessing drugs for sale or supply and for acting violently while in Garda custody.
Both suspects were arrested – on Saturday and Sunday evenings – and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. That allows for them to be questioned for up to 24 hours without charge.
However, the suspect arrested on Saturday required medical attention after being taken into custody and his detention was suspended to facilitate that treatment
In reply to queries on Monday, Garda Headquarters confirmed the second suspect, who is also in his 30s, was arrested on Sunday, and that the man arrested on Saturday was still being held.
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