A Garda Detective Inspector attached to the technical bureau received a serious hand injury when he was assaulted by three youths carrying knives last night.
The attack occurred at 10.30 p.m. as the inspector left Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park after coming off duty. "They nearly cut his thumb off," a Garda spokesman said.
The inspector, a fingerprints specialist, was taken to the Mater Hospital, where a spokeswoman said he was "comfortable".