GARDA INJURED IN PEPPER SPRAY ARREST IN TOWN

A New Ross based garda suffered eye injuries when pepper spray was accidentally diffused into his eyes during an arrest on Saturday.

Two Dublin men aged in their early 20s were approached by gardaí investigating a theft of perfume at Sam McAuley’s shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Superintendent John McDonald said: ‘Gardaí encountered the two men on South Street and one of the men resisted arrest while the other made good his escape. During the course of the arrest pepper spray was used.’

Supt McDonald said during the course of the pepper spray canister being deployed it ended up in the eyes of one of the arresting gardaí.

‘It went in the wrong direction. As with anyone who is unfortunate enough to be pepper-sprayed you try to limit the impact of it on the eyes using water or milk and this was done at the station.’

The garda suffered no lasting eye injury from the spray.

Garda are still pursuing the man who fled from the scene, adding that they wish to speak to both parties in relation to some other incidents in the town last week, including the theft of glasses worth around €300 and the theft of confectionery valued at around €10 from the Daybreak shop on South Street.

The man arrested on South Street was detained and questioned by gardaí and remanded in custody under the theft act.