Gang attacks garda with an iron bar

A GANG who attacked a garda with an iron bar in south Tipperary may have been on their way to an intended robbery.

The garda, stationed in Cahir, suffered minor injuries in the incident which happened on the roadside between Clogheen and The Vee, in the Knockmealdown mountains.

Gardaí across Munster are hunting for the gang of three men who escaped through The Vee after assaulting the garda on Thursday night. It is understood the officer was on traffic duty at the time at Bótharnagor, between Castlegrace Cross and Loughlin’s Bridge outside Clogheen, and was attacked after stopping a car containing three men.

One of the men involved was wearing a balaclava at the time and the weapon used to hit the garda is believed to have been an iron bar.

The gang then sped off towards The Vee, in the direction of Lismore.

A large-scale search was immediately initiated by the gardaí in Cahir, involving members from Cahir, Clonmel, Midleton, Dungarvan, and other stations in the surrounding districts.

“They were certainly up to no good,” said a source yesterday.

“They must have had something to hide.”

The injured garda was back at work yesterday morning and is reported to be in good health.

The gang were travelling in a dark-coloured Hyundai, possibly an Accent.

According to gardaí, the driver of the car is of stocky build, about 5’11” in height and wearing dark clothing. One of the passengers is about 5’9” and also wearing dark clothing.

Gardaí in Cahir have appealed for information from anybody in the area or people in the Castlegrace, Clogheen, Ardfinnan or Ballyporeen areas of south Tipperary who may have noticed any suspicious activity on Thursday night, or anybody in the region who may have seen the car yesterday.

Contact the station in Cahir at 052-45630.