A man was being held by gardaí on Sunday evening after being arrested in connection with the assault of two off-duty members of An Garda Síochána in Dublin.
The man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on Saturday evening and remains in custody at a Garda station in Dublin under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
The incident, which happened at about 1.30am on Saturday, took place at the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street, on the edge of Temple Bar, in the city centre.
One of the gardaí, aged in his 40s, was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he is currently in critical condition. The second man was taken to St James’s Hospital for medical treatment and has since been discharged.
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Investigating gardaí believe it was an unprovoked assault and that the attacker did not know the two men were members of the Garda.
It is understood the two gardaí had been attending a Christmas party and one of them was struck on the head from behind as they were walking on the street. The second garda intervened and was also assaulted.
A number of items were taken from the two injured gardaí before the attackers fled.
The two gardaí are members of the Garda armed support unit (ASU) but it is understood they were not armed at the time.
The pair were found injured on the street by passersby who alerted the emergency services.
Taoiseach Simon Harris urged members of the public with information to contact An Garda Síochána. “My thoughts are with the off duty gardaí who were victims of an alarming and egregious attack in Temple Bar last night, one of who remains in hospital,” he said. “The perpetrators of this attack will face the full rigours of the law.”
An incident room led by a senior investigating officer has been established at Pearse Street Garda station and witnesses are being asked to come forward.
Anyone who was in the Dame Street/Temple Bar area between 1am and 1.45am on Saturday who may have camera footage, including dashcam, is being asked to make it available to investigators.
Gardaí are particularly looking to speak with any taxi drivers who were driving in the Dame Street area at the time.
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.
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