Gardai quiz violent criminal over attack on off duty officers

Gardaí were tonight questioning a notorious street criminal over a brutal attack on two off duty members of the force that left one of them critically ill in hospital.

“He is a piece of work,” one source said as officers continued to quiz the suspect over the shocking attack in Dublin’s Temple Bar in the early hours of Saturday morning.

We have established the thug, who is from Dublin, previously assaulted a man in Dublin in another unprovoked attack. He also has convictions related to drugs offences and possession of stolen goods. He was released from prison within the last two years for the previous attack in central Dublin.

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The two officers, who are members of the Dublin Regional Armed Support Unit, were attacked from behind as they walked in the Dane Street area at around 1.30am after attending a Christmas party.

One of the officers fell and hit his head on the ground after the attack - and suffered serious injuries.

He was being treated at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital where he underwent surgery on Sunday night - and gardaí say he is critically ill. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris visited the officer in hospital on Saturday morning.

The other officer was treated for injuries in St. James’ Hospital in central Dublin, before being discharged on Saturday evening. Colleagues of the attacked officers expressed their shock at their ordeal last night.

A suspect was identified within hours of the attack, which happened at the junction of Eustace and Dame streets. Detectives from Pearse Street station spent several hours tracking him down before arresting him in the city centre on Saturday evening.

Sources say the suspect struggled with officers when they tried to arrest him. We have also learned that gardaí found a phone taken from one of the officers when they finally subdued the suspect.

He was being held at Pearse Street on suspicion of assault on Sunday night, but gardaí will have to either charge or release him by Monday.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheal Martin have both expressed their shock at the attack on the off duty gardaí.

Mr Harris said: “My thoughts are with the off duty gardaí who were victims of an alarming and egregious attack in Temple Bar last night, one of whom remains in hospital.

“The perpetrators of this attack will face the full rigours of the law. Anyone with information, please contact An Garda Siochana.”

And Mr Martin said: “Appalled by the unprovoked and brutal attack on two off duty gardaí in Temple Bar in the early hours of this morning.

“My thoughts are with both men and their families, especially the Garda who remains in hospital.

“I urge anyone with information to contact gardaí.”

Garda Representative Association President Mark O’Meara said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our injured colleagues and their loved ones at this difficult time.

“The random attack on two serving gardaí has thrust the breakdown of law and order in Dublin back under the glare of the public spotlight.”

Justice Minister Helen McEntee also condemned the assaults.

It’s understood the officers were socialising with other members of the armed support unit for Christmas when the shocking event happened. Sources say the men were targeted by one thug and it is unlikely the attacker knew they were gardaí.

Gardaí on Saturday appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The force said in a statement: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault which occurred at the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street, Dublin 2, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 14 December 2024.

"The incident occurred at approximately 01:30am. Two males were injured during the course of this incident.

“One of the men, aged in his 40s, has been taken to Beaumont Hospital Dublin where he is currently in critical condition. A second man was taken to St James’s Hospital Dublin for medical treatment and has been subsequently discharged.

“An incident room led by a senior investigating officer has been established at Pearse Street Garda Station. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

“Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the Dame Street / Temple Bar area, between 1:00am and 1:45am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Gardaí are particularly looking to speak with any taxi drivers who were driving in the Dame Street area at the time and may have footage.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

The Garda Armed Support Unit is a specialist firearms squad and the officers who were attacked were attached to the Dublin regional ASU.

The ASU responds to incidents where firearms or other weapons are used. The highly trained officers, who are armed with MP7 sub machineguns, Sig Sauer pistols and tasers also respond to gangland incidents and are used to raid the homes of dangerous suspects.

And late on Sunday it emerged that officers had made a second arrest over the attack. The man was detained in central Dublin. He was being held at Pearse Street Garda Station and can be detained for 24 hours.

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