CCTV captures attack on serving Garda’s house by hooded male as investigators probe potential ‘boy racer’ link

The officer, who lives in Meath, was the victim of criminal damage on June 21 when a young man in a hoodie threw a large rock through his downstairs front room window.

The garda was not home but his wife and young children were in the house and are understood to have been left deeply upset following the incident. No-one was injured but one source pointed out that someone could have been hurt had they been standing near the window.

The incident of criminal damage took place in broad daylight shortly before 5pm and was captured on CCTV. The garda was attending the Donegal International Rally when his home was targeted. Investigators are probing whether those behind the attack on the garda’s home were aware that he was away, by looking at social media posts, and deliberately targeted his house because of his absence.

It is understood that the well-respected garda has led a number of probes into dangerous driving practices by young motorists – “essentially boy racers”, according to the source. One avenue of investigation is that the garda’s home was targeted as a consequence of this work.

A source added: “It is a terrible act to have your personal residence targeted in a criminal act, essentially because of your work as a garda.”

Gardaí in Meath put out an appeal for information in connection with the crime on its social media channels but did not make reference to the fact that the victim was a member of An Garda Síochána. The garda investigation is ongoing.

The source continued that it was important to establish if the officer was targeted because of his work as this would be an “unacceptable and dangerous” consequence of working as a Garda.

A source confirmed that a significant line of investigation for the attack on the family home is that those responsible were intent on revenge against the Garda because he is known to “crack down” on young motorists who drive dangerously.

Investigators believe that two young men were involved in the attack. One is suspected of taking a large decorative rock from a garden close by to the garda’s home. He then walked up the driveway of the garda’s home and threw it through the living room window.

Another young man is suspected of acting as the getaway driver.

Gardaí are also exploring whether the young men had earlier carried out surveillance of the house.