Garda ‘nearly killed’ in Tipperary house call without backup

“He was almost killed. There was no backup. He was the only garda on duty — out on patrol — in the Cahir-Cashel district when he got that call. There was also one in the station. This is a shocking situation which happens daily and hourly, day and night, because gardaí are being pulled and dragged all over the country.” 

He said a representative of the Garda Representative Association told him “it already has six requests this week for concerts in Dublin, big games and God knows what”. 

Mr McGrath said: “This man is an excellent officer. I hope he recovers. He almost lost his life because he had no backup. He knew going to the callout that he had no backup.”

Claiming rural areas were not being policed, Mr McGrath said: “The nearest gardaí who might have been available were in Clonmel, which is a different district, or in Mitchelstown. Thankfully, the ERU came eventually and apprehended and arrested the gentleman.” 

Highlighting concerns the garda had to respond to a call on his own, Mr McGrath said: “It is intolerable, unacceptable and disgraceful by the minister and the Garda authorities. It happens night and day, 24-7. 

“We are expecting a garda to go out on his or her own, and they are doing it. I have spoken to them. They are in patrol cars at 3am, nobody with them and no backup, knowing there is no backup. In an area from Araglin to Ardfinnan to Boherlahan, including the two tourist towns of Cahir and Cashel, there was one garda on duty.” 

A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said: “Gardaí have charged a man following an assault in Clogheen, Co Tipperary, on 18th June, 2024. The male (40s) appeared before Carrick on Suir District Court on 19th June 2024.” 

He confirmed a member of An Garda Síochána “received medical attention following this incident”, for non-life threatening injuries.