Gardai’s gun drama on golf course

September 1995

TWO Baltinglass gardai found themselves staring down the barrel of a shotgun as they attempted to apprehend a masked man seen acting suspiciously at the local golf club last weekend.

Garda Tom Riley and Garda Jim Lawlor were confronted by the masked and armed men on the fairway of Baltinglass Golf Club at 3.30 a.m. last Sunday during a patrol of the club house, which had been entered and burgled the previous week.

As the Gardai performed a routine inspection of the detached store of the club, they disturbed a man in a balaclava who ran away from the club premises. Both Gardai gave chase in the patrol car on to the club fairway. As they were about to apprehend the first man, an armed man approached them and ordered them away.

Both men made their escape in the darkness still pointing the shotgun at the Gardai. There were no shots fired and neither of the Gardai were hurt.

Suspects were later arrested under the Offences against the State Act. They were detained at Baltinglass Garda Station and later released. A file is being prepared for the DPP.