GARDAÍ ARE APPEALING for witnesses after shots were fired at a garda van in Darndale, north Dublin this week.

A garda van with two uniformed members was on patrol in the Buttercup Park area of Darndale on Thursday night at around 11.20pm when it was involved in an incident with a suspect car.

Gardaí said a loud noise was heard before the car took off across a nearby field in the direction of the Malahide road.

“The patrol van was later inspected and two indentations consistent with gunfire were discovered on the driver’s door. No one was injured and both garda members involved remained on duty.”

The van has since been taken for technical and forensic examination.

Frank Thornton, vice president of the Garda Representative Association said attacks such as this one are becoming too regular. 

He said this “cowardly attack” is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of frontline policing faced by rank-and-file gardaí every day of the year. 

“Thankfully the members involved were able to go home to their families, but incidents like these, which are becoming too regular, are sobering,” he said.

“Again the Garda Representative Association calls for mandatory minimum prison sentences for assaults and attacks on our members.”

Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact the incident room at Coolock garda station on 01 6664200 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.