A YOUNG garda had to undergo surgery after part of his ear was bitten off when he tried to intervene in a domestic dispute.
A second garda received a number of stitches to his forehead following the same incident in Limerick city last weekend.
The two gardaí were responding to a dispute at a fast food outlet on O’Connell Street at 11.15pm on Saturday when they were attacked.
One of the gardaí was headbutted in the face and received 10 stitches to his forehead. The attack also left him with facial bruising.
His colleague had part of his ear bitten off and had to undergo surgery in Limerick.
He has since been released from hospital and wants to return to work despite his injuries, say Garda sources.
“It’s appalling to think that he was trying to intervene in a domestic situation and trying to help and then something like this happens,” said one source.
The young garda, who is in his early 20s, only recently graduated from Templemore Training College. His injured colleague has been with the Garda for eight years.
It is understood the two gardaí were trying to help a woman and child when they were attacked.
A 31-year-old man appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Sunday charged with assault over the incident.
He was was remanded in custody to appear before the same court tomorrow .