Female Garda suffers ‘dangerous knock’ to head after struggle with male during arrest

In the struggle the officer received a ‘potentially dangerous knock to her head’ on the concrete

A female garda suffered a ‘dangerous knock’ as she attempted to arrest a man in Dublin city who she recognised was wanted by gardai.

The man tried to run away but the garda chased after him, caught up with him and tried to put him under arrest. However, in the struggle she received a ‘potentially dangerous knock to her head’ on the ground as her head hit the concrete and she had to be taken to hospital.

The man was subsequently arrested by her colleague and later appeared in court in relation to three counts of theft.

The incident took place in Dublin 2 at around 10.40am on Thursday morning.

The female guard has recovered “well” from the knock to the head and was released from hospital on Thursday evening after she was checked over.

A garda spokesperson said that the “dedicated” officer intends to go back to work straight away and report for duty at 4pm on Friday.

In a social media post, a garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí attached to Operation Citizen, our targeted response to policing in Dublin City Centre, begin their duties first thing each morning and respond to any range of incidents often not knowing what might next require their full attention.

“While on patrol this morning in the Dublin 2 area, a female Garda from Pearse Street station spotted an individual that she was aware had been wanted by Gardaí working on both sides of the Liffey for a number of crimes.

“She moved to arrest him at about 10:40am alongside her colleague.

“On her approach, he fled and she instantly pursued him. She managed to catch a hold but he began resisting arrest and a very difficult struggle ensued for the Garda. She was determined to not let him abscond and in turn she suffered a potentially dangerous knock to her head on concrete.

“With the assistance of her colleague and kind members of the public who were passing by and came to her aid, the male was arrested and taken into custody.

“Tonight, he has appeared before court for all three of the incidents of theft for which he was wanted by Gardaí.

“Our colleague was brought to hospital and released this evening following a comprehensive check. We’re relieved that she is well and resting up at present, but what’s remarkable yet totally unsurprising given her dedication to the South Inner City, is that she intends on reporting to duty at 4pm tomorrow as scheduled. She will also work on public order duty in the city this Saturday.

“Her experience is a reflection of the commitment we share with the public – Dublin is a safe city and we do whatever it takes to ensuring it remains that way.”