Teenagers in court after garda mown down

Two teenagers will appear in court today after a young garda mown down by car thieves was left fighting for his life.

Robert McCallion was trying to block the robbers off in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, when one of them drove at him, crushing him against a wall.

The 29-year-old garda, from Swinford, Co Mayo, is critically ill with head injuries in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Gardaí were called out to Tara Court, a housing development on the Ramelton Road in Letterkenny, at 4.30am yesterday morning after a report about a car being stolen.

Garda McCallion and two colleagues were trying to block the car thieves when he was hit by a car and crushed against a wall, which partially collapsed in the crash.

Two teenagers, one arrested at the scene and another picked up later, will appear before Glenties District Court today charged in relation to the incident.

Garda McCallion has been serving in Letterkenny since he graduated from Templemore Garda College in 2006.

His father Bob, a retired garda in Swinford, and his mother Nancy are among family members keeping a bedside vigil at Beaumont Hospital.

Garda McCallion has a brother John also serving in the force, based in Ballina, Co Mayo, and two sisters.