Harris: Ramming of garda car in Dublin 'disgraceful' and 'very concerning'

Videos of the incident, widely circulated online, show two cars drifting and speeding erratically through the Cherry Orchard area of West Dublin as onlookers clap and cheer.

Videos of the incident, widely circulated online, show two cars drifting and speeding erratically through the Cherry Orchard area of West Dublin - as onlookers clap and cheer.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has described the ramming of a garda car as "disgraceful" and "very concerning" and has warned others not to engage in copycat activities.

Mr Harris said the public order unit has now been sent to the Cherrywood area in Dublin in the wake of the incident which was recorded by onlookers and has been circulated widely on social media.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after the 'dangerous driving incident' in which the Garda car was rammed.

Videos show two cars drifting and speeding erratically through the Cherry Orchard area of West Dublin — as onlookers clap and cheer.

Neither of the two vehicles in question stopped for officers, with one of the two hitting the Garda car head-on.

The incident occurred shortly after 7.30pm yesterday evening.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois, Mr Harris said: "It's a disgraceful and a very concerning incident. I'm glad to report that the two garda members in the vehicle were uninjured and were able to summon assistance, which quickly arrived to help them to restore order in the Cherrywood area. 

"But overall, I would say there's been vigorous policing operations in that area over the last number of weeks," he said.

There's a full investigation underway, but also then we have to look to tonight and the subsequent nights as well and the public order unit has been stood up.

"We would ask the community for information in respect of who they may suspect or saw involved in this behavior."

The Commissioner added that a number of arrests have been made in recent weeks and vehicles have been seized in the area to combat anti-social behaviour.

Asked if he is concerned others may copy the behaviour because it has gone viral on social media, Mr Harris said: "I really would encourage people not to get engaged in copycat incidents because we'll deal with the situation as we find it, we'll mount an investigation and perpetrators will be brought to justice. So, if you get involved in a copycat incidents you risk getting a criminal record.

"Beyond that, then you create danger for yourself and your local community. So, there will always be an enforcement response to this type of behaviour."

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has condemned the incident, saying: “Any assault on Gardaí is unacceptable and utterly disrespectful of the rule of law and the law abiding community.

“Those showing contempt for Gardaí and decent communities last night will be investigated, and I urge anyone with information to contact An Garda Síochána.”

The general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) Antoinette Cunningham has said that social media was a major factor in the incident in Cherry Orchard.

Ms Cunningham told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that the incident should be condemned by all politicians and community leaders in the area.

Social media coverage of the incident would encourage copycat incidents, she warned, as others would feel empowered to engage in “more of this behaviour.” 

Such behaviour was completely unacceptable for the ordinary people who lived in the area and for the gardaí who were trying to “go about their lawful job.” 

The situation required more than just condemnation, it required solutions, she continued. 

“It’s easy to condemn, it’s difficult to give solutions to ensure that this kind of behaviour doesn’t continue. We have to find long-term solutions.” 

Ms Cunningham said that to see people (on social media) encouraging the ramming of a garda patrol car was not how society should operate.

It was important to ensure that gardaí had the support and resources to safely go about their work to ensure events like this did not happen.

Gardaí are appealing to any member of the public who may have witnessed this incident to come forward, including those with dash-cam footage.

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.