Paramedic knocked out by man he treated

A MEMBER of the emergency services had his two front teeth knocked out following an attack while tending to a patient on a bus.

The paramedic (44) was assaulted when a man, who appeared unconscious, punched him in the face in an incident in Dublin city centre yesterday morning.

The crew man needed emergency treatment as he was knocked unconscious by the force of the punch.

The incident took place after Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) received a call from Dublin Bus to attend an incident on Abbey Street at 7.40am yesterday.

After the paramedics roused the man on the bus, he punched the paramedic and attempted to flee the scene.

However, the assailant was quickly detained by a security guard, while gardaí were called.

Gardaí on bicycles from Store Street attended the scene and arrested the attacker.

The man (27) was held for assault causing harm and is being questioned at Store Street garda station.

The ambulance man was brought to the Mater Hospital and then on to the Dental Hospital. The attacker is understood to be an Irish national.

The incident has been condemned by the DFB, which wished its colleague a speedy recovery.

In a statement, the fire service said: “Dublin Fire Brigade can confirm that one of its firefighter/paramedics was assaulted in the city centre this morning.

“The member of staff was part of an ambulance crew treating a patient at the time.

“Dublin Fire Brigade management and staff condemn incidents of this nature, which are totally unacceptable.

“We will support our colleague and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

It added that it will help gardaí in any way possible in their investigation.