Injured garda is a community policing veteran
THE garda hospitalised following last Saturday’s protests is a community officer with over 12 years’ experience who had been helping the elderly and the vulnerable during the pandemic.
Now, as a result of violence perpetrated by right-wing protesters, the committed garda has been forced out of work after being left with a perforated ear drum and a broken ankle.
The garda, who is very experienced at policing city centre protests, first suffered damage to his ear after a firework exploded next to his head.
Minutes later he broke an ankle while trying to arrest a far-right protester.
The garda underwent surgery on his ankle this week and is expected to be off work for some time.
A source said: ‘He’s a very experienced guy, well used to city centre policing, demos included.
‘This is a long-standing community garda from Pearse Street.
‘He suffered a perforated ear drum but continued on with his duties nonetheless and suffered a broken ankle while apprehending a suspect.’
Three gardaí were injured, including the garda who was hospitalised, and dozens were arrested after anti-lockdown protesters clashed with gardaí in Dublin on February 27.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris later accused protesters of
being intent on assaulting and injuring members of the force during a demonstration which began outside St Stephen’s Green.
Mr Harris said only by ‘good grace and quick thinking’ did gardaí escape serious injury when a firework was fired at them from point-blank rage.
Mr Harris said the protests were planned as a test case to see what they could get away with and how many people would turn up.
‘We are very much on our guard now about what happens next,’ he said.
‘We are going to follow through with a major investigation. There are plenty of individuals who have committed offences for which we will see them being brought to justice.’ over the course of the day, linked to the event in Cork city. These arrests occurred in Kildare, Kerry and Co. Cork in respect of persons for failing to comply with Garda directions under section 31(a)(7) Health Act 1947, as amended.
‘The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all to comply with public health regulations and guidelines, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives.’