Garda injured as patrol car hit by pensioner

THE mini-heatwave left one pensioner “under the weather” this week, after he smashed his car into the side of a patrol car in broad daylight.

The lucky garda had to swerve onto the side of the road to avoid being seriously injured when the elderly man’s car careered onto the wrong side of the road.

The incident happened in the North Tipperary town of Newport.

The garda, aged in his mid-30s and a native of Limerick, suffered injuries to his hand. He was reported to be shaken following the incident.

The wing mirror of the pensioner’s car struck the hand of the lone garda driving the patrol car. Such was the impact, the frame of the mirror ended up on the floor of the passenger side of the patrol car.

The wing mirror of the garda car and door were also damaged.

The elderly man drove away from the scene despite the efforts of several shocked onlookers to prevent him from doing so.

He was arrested and brought to Killaloe Garda Station and charges are expected to be brought against him.