Protection 'should be given to garda spouses' after detective's wife attacked for third time

More protection should be available to members of an Garda Siochana whose families are being targeted by criminals, Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has said.

He made the remarks after the wife of a detective in Mayo was attacked in her home just outside Castlebar yesterday evening. It was the third attack on 36-year-old Regina Sweeney in less then six months.

Ms Sweeney is now recovering in Mayo General Hospital.

Mr Higgins sais it was likely she was targeted because her husband is a detective.

"The fact that the same person has been targeted three times and nothing has been stolen would give you an indication that something more sinister is happening here," he said.

"I certainly hope it's not the beginning of a pattern that garda wives are going to be fair game for these thugs."