A man was arrested after he attacked firefighters with a sword in Dundalk, Co Louth, last night.
Firefighters were attempting to put out a burning car in Marion Road at around 1.50, and two officers were putting on breathing apparatus when a man with a samurai sword ran towards them
Another firefighter turned a water hose on the attacker, knocking him to the ground.
"He managed to get back up and he was hosed down again," Chief fire officer Eamon Woulfe said.
It is understood the man was pinned down by a crowd who had gathered but managed to escape before being caught by gardai.
Mr Woulfe said the firefighter who hosed down the man and one of the officers targeted by the attacker were suffering shock.
Gardaí said a man (24) had been arrested for criminal damage.
PA