LAST UPDATE | 13 Aug

TWO GARDAÍ WERE hospitalised after the car they were driving was rammed in Finglas, Co Dublin.

They had been investigating a burglary and a car theft in the Santry area on Monday. During a related operation shortly before midnight on Tuesday, the stolen car collided with a patrol car.

The stolen Audi exited the old N2 and collided with the patrol car, causing it to strike a concrete pillar before coming to a stop on its roof roughly 200m from the impact point. 

The occupants of the stolen vehicle fled on foot and despite attempts by gardaí to apprehend them, and the assistance of air support, they managed to flee the scene. 

It is believed that up to five people were in the car. 

Two gardaí, a man and a woman, managed to exit the vehicle unaided and later received medical assistance. Both were conveyed to hospital for treatment.

Detective Garda and GRA representative Mark Ferris said that this incident highlights the dangers gardaí face in trying to do their duty. 

“I have spoken to both officers who have now been discharged from hospital and are recuperating from their injuries at home. They wish to thank the ambulance and hospital staff for their medical assistance during what was a deeply traumatic event, the details of which will appal any right-thinking member of society,” Ferris added. 

He said that the young male and female gardaí injured in the incident are not currently fit for duty following medical assessment. 

Ferris added that one of the impacted gardaí said that their “life flashed” before their eyes when the patrol car was spinning down a main road. 

“Sadly these kinds of incidents are happening all too often and we as an organisation needs to do more to protect our members on the ground through resources, equipment and training but more urgently, an accelerated recruitment programme to help and support the frontline members that we have,” Ferris added. 

A garda spokesperson said that both have since been released from hospital.

An Garda Síochána continues to provide welfare support to the members as they recuperate, and to their families.

Investigations are ongoing, they said.