A member of the Garda Síochána serving in Bosnia was injured during riots in Mostar today. An Irish Army officer with the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) had his car hijacked during the disturbances.
The garda, Eamonn Connaire (44) was injured when Croat separatists stormed a bank in the town, as international officers tried to remove documents from the building.
Garda Connaire is being treated at a hospital near Mostar airport and his injuries are not thought to be serious. He is from Co Clare and is stationed at Miltown-Malbay.
Lieut Col Tom Behan was on a routine patrol for the EUMM in the area when his car was stopped at an "unofficial" checkpoint.
An Army spokesman said Lieut Col Behan was taken from his car, which was clearly marked as EUMM, and "roughed up", but he managed to get away and has returned to Sarajevo this evening.
"He is safe and well and has spoken to his wife," Captain Paul Connors told ireland.com.
Cpt Connors said Lieut Col Behan was not involved in the SFOR mission, and was very much on the "periphery" of events when the incident occurred.
Earlier reports suggested that Irish troops were among 18 SFOR peacekeepers injured during the riots by Croat separatists.
But Cpt Connors said that no Irish troops were involved in the operation. He said Mostar is in what is called the Multinational Division Southeast zone which is controlled by the French. The Irish troops in Bosnia are stationed in Sarajevo.
"All our troops in Bosnia are safe and well," he said.