Garda office to investigate after men injured in fall

THE Garda ombudsman’s office yesterday confirmed it was investigating an incident in which two men sustained injuries during a Garda operation in Co Kerry.

The men, it emerged, jumped from a first-floor apartment at Maine Street close to Tralee town centre.

Acting on confidential information, the gardaí carried out a search of the apartment occupied at the time by three men, all Irish citizens.

What was described as a modified knife, a small quantity of ammunition and other items were seized by the gardaí.

Two men in the building jumped from the first floor and were afterwards taken to Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, with non-life-threatening injuries.

One is believed to have suffered a leg fracture and the other back injuries.

A third man was arrested at the scene and taken to Tralee Garda Station, a short distance away.

It is understood investigating gardaí will be preparing a file for submission to the DPP.

Graham Doyle, spokesman at the Garda ombudsman’s office, confirmed an investigation is being conducted by the office.

“Our officials have already visited the scene but the investigation is still at a very early stage,” he said.

Mr Doyle explained that under section 102(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda commissioner shall refer to the ombudsman commission any matter that appeared to indicate the conduct of a garda resulting in the death of, or serious harm, to a person.