TWO GARDAÍ WERE injured outside a Co Louth garda station after an incident on Tuesday morning.

Shortly after 7am on Tuesday, a garda member who had finished his shift was set upon by a man in his 20s in the car park of Dundalk garda station.

Another garda who was just starting his shift witnessed the unprovoked assault and came to his colleague’s assistance, but his hand was broken in the course of restraining the suspect.

The garda who was initially assaulted sustained soft tissue injuries including swelling to his face and scratches.

Both officers are out sick as a result of the incident.

It’s understood the suspect had originally been detained on Monday evening.

He was subsequently released from Dundalk Garda Station before he returned several hours later around the time of the shift changeover.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) condemned the incident in a post on social media.

“Another day, and sadly another attack on Gardaí simply serving their local community,” the GRA said. “There is never an excuse for attacks on our members, the job is difficult enough.”

A garda spokesperson said the assault incidents remain under investigation.

The spokesperson added that both members received medical treatment and remain off duty. Welfare supports have been made available by local management.