Call for more gardaí as officer’s jaw broken in street attack

ONE garda had his jaw broken and two of his colleagues received other injuries in a further weekend of violence on the streets of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

The three officers, including a female detective, were injured in Enniscorthy’s Market Square on Friday night. The latest attacks, which follow two assaults on other officers last weekend, have sparked renewed calls for more gardaí and CCTV for the town.

All three gardaí injured over the weekend suffered facial cuts and bruising while one officer suffered a broken jaw. A man who attempted to flee the scene by jumping into the River Slaney was rescued by another two gardaí.

He was arrested and brought before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Saturday, where he was remanded in custody to re-appear at Enniscorthy District Court on Wednesday charged with a public order offence.

More serious charges are expected to follow.

Junior Marine Minister and local TD John Browne joined with local council chairman Keith Doyle in saying urgent talks are needed with garda authorities due to the continuing violence.

The population of Enniscorthy has doubled to 13,000 in recent years, while garda numbers have increased by four to 28.

Two gardaí had been hospitalised following an incident in the early hours of Easter Sunday. Over the past two years another four gardaí have been hospitalised due to violent incidents.

On one of those occasions, 60 people were involved in a fracas.

Politicians have repeatedly called for an increase in the number of gardaí on patrol in the town. At weekends, there are usually two gardaí on patrol and one in the station.

Mr Browne said: “The time has come to have more officers on the beat. Officers need to be protected from the violence experienced over the weekend.”