Manhunt stood down after garda vehicle rammed and garda assaulted in Monaghan

Ellen O'Donoghue

A man has been arrested after gardaí were assaulted and a Garda vehicle was rammed in Co Monaghan on Thursday.

A previous manhunt for the driver of the car has been stood down, with gardaí following a definite line of inquiry.

Two garda members were hospitalised with injuries and remain in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, on Thursday night.

Gardaí described the rammed patrol car as "severely damaged."

The car, a grey Audi A6, was stopped by plainclothes gardaí on patrol shortly after 11.30am, who spoke with a man in his 20s.

During the course of their interaction, the man became violent and assaulted one of the gardaí before fleeing into fields.

Shortly after 1pm, a garda vehicle on patrol on the R184, Tullycorbett, Co Monaghan, north of Ballybay, was rammed by a Northern Ireland registered Audi.

Two occupants of the car fled the scene, and a search of the local area began. This search has since been stood down.

A man in his 20s, believed to be the passenger of the vehicle and involved in the earlier assault, has been arrested and remains in custody on Thursday night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in Monaghan.

Both gardaí in the patrol car, a man and a woman, were hospitalised.

An Garda Síochána is providing support to the injured members, a garda statement said.

The investigation into the incident is being coordinated from an incident room at Monaghan Garda Station.

Anyone with any information or sighting of a dark grey Audi A6 with northern registration plates in the general vicinity of the R184 between Ballybay and Clontibret or surrounding roads, or any driver in that area between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday, who has any dashcam or other video footage, has been asked to contact investigating gardaí.

The investigation team can be contacted at Monaghan Garda Station at 047 77200, the Garda Confidential Phone 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

Alan McGovern, chief superintendent of the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division said that Thursday's incident demonstrates "clearly the unpredictable and dangerous nature of work carried out by members of An Garda Síochána, who turn up for duty keeping our communities safe every day.

"These incidents will be fully and diligently investigated.

"My thoughts and the thoughts of every member of An Garda Síochána are with our colleagues, who will be provided with all necessary supports at this time.”

The Garda Representative Association also condemned the incidents, describing them as a "stark and terrifying reminder" of the dangers Gardaí face.

The association has sent its thoughts to the injured Gardaí and their families.

In a statement, the GRA said it wishes them a speedy recovery.