Appeal after garda hospitalised following attack
Garda beaten and doused with an accelerant
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses after an unarmed uniform member of the force was attacked in West Cavan in the early hours of this morning.
An Garda Siochana is currently investigating all the circumstances of the alleged which took place at approximately 2am on February 28.
The member involved was on patrol in the Loughan area near Blacklion when its understood he contacted colleagues seeking assistance.
In a statement issued this morning, the member was "disorientated and unable to explain the exact circumstances of events taking place".
An Garda Síochána, through the North Western Region Headquarters Control Room, identified the member's location through the Garda AVPLS system.
Uniform colleagues then attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.
There the members found their colleague in a "disorientated state".
His official marked patrol vehicle was also present at the scene.
"There was a strong smell of an accelerant in the air, his Garda uniform was saturated with an accelerant and he had signs of physical injuries."
The Garda was subsequently taken to Sligo University Hospital where he continues to be assessed and receive treatment this morning for what have been described as "non-life threatening injuries".
An Garda Síochána have also now sealed off the scene and the Garda Technical Bureau will carry out an examination this morning.
An incident room has been established under a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) at Cavan Garda Station.
"The Garda member and his family have and will continue to be provided with the assistance of the Employee Assistance Service and all of An Garda Síochána support services."
Speaking this morning, Chief Superintendent McGovern, Cavan Monaghan Garda Division said: "This is a very serious and concerning attack on an unarmed member of An Garda Síochána going about their normal duties keeping people safe. Thankfully the incident has not resulted in a fatality or other serious injury. The exact motive for this attack is yet to be determined but it is extremely concerning that a member of An Garda Síochána appears to have been targeted and doused in some form of accelerant, the exact intent of this attack is unknown at this time.
"I am appealing for any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí.”
An Garda Síochána would like to speak to any person driving on the N16, Cavan, passing Loughan House Prison, or the R206 and R207 at their junction with the N16, between 7pm Sunday 27th February 2022 and 3am Monday 28th February 2022, and in particular any person with video footage (dashcam or other format) to contact investigating Gardaí.
An Garda Síochána are appealing for any person with any information on this incident to contact Cavan Garda Station at 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
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