Higgins visits injured garda after getting freedom of Cork

President Michael D Higgins took time out of his busy schedule yesterday to visit a hero garda who was seriously injured as he tried to protect the public during a high-speed rampage by occupants of a stolen van.

Just minutes after becoming the sixth president to be bestowed with the Freedom of Cork City, he decided to pay a private visit to Garda Michael Twomey.

The motorcycle garda received serious back and rib injuries after he was thrown into the air when the van careered into him on the outskirts of the city last week.

The garda, who is in his 30s, had been trying to stop motorists straying into the path of the vehicle, which had earlier rammed a Garda van, crashed into several cars, and sped the wrong way down roads during a chase lasting more than 30 minutes.

Details of the meeting were kept confidential, but it is understood President Higgins wanted to thank him for his bravery and wish the married father of two young children a speedy recovery.

Garda Twomey, whose wife Gillian is a Garda sergeant, is now convalescing at home on the southside of Cork City, but is unlikely to return to duty for some time.

Hundreds of people attended the Freedom of the City ceremony in Cork City Hall yesterday evening, after which the President met Garda Twomey and his family before returning to Dublin by train.