Intelligence service assisting local detectives in establishing motive for garda stabbing

The Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service has been brought in to support investigators in establishing the motive

A Garda was stabbed on Capel Street in Dublin on Tuesday. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Garda security services are assisting local detectives in trying to establish why a young man attacked two uniform gardaí and stabbed one of them in broad daylight in Dublin city centre.

The 23-year-old man arrested is an Irish citizen, of Pakistani heritage, with an address in Co Laois and possibly another in west Dublin.

It is thought he shouted something at two uniform gardaí as he brandished a knife and launched an unprovoked attack, cutting one of the members at least twice.

Investigators believe he deliberately targeted the uniform gardaí.

“He selected gardaí to attack, not just anyone and the gardaí were clearly uniformed gardaí — so we need to establish the motivation,” one source said.

Because of the factors in the case, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS) has been brought in to support investigators in establishing the motive.

The GNCSIS is analysing evidence from the man’s digital devices and social media posts as well as any information gleaned from family, friends, religious contacts and associates.

They will also try and determine what the man shouted when he launched his attack on the gardaí.

Sources have stressed that the involvement of security services does not necessarily mean gardaí suspect an extremist motivation behind the attack or that he may have been radicalised in some way, rather, it is part of a number of lines of inquiry to find out why the man acted in the way he did.

“Is it some mental health issue, some personal grievance against the gardaí or is there some possible ideological reason, or a mixture of things?” a source said.

Gardaí have confirmed that the suspect is not known to them for any previous criminal activity.

Gardaí have already gathered CCTV footage from the area around Capel Street, in the north inner city, and have examined various mobile phone footage uploaded online.

Addresses linked to the man have been searched and evidence removed for examination. The suspect’s knife is also being examined.

The injured garda, a young probationary, was brought to hospital, but he was due to be discharged.

Sources said the injuries could have been worse and that his anti-stab vest might have saved him.

The officers, based at Bridewell Garda Station, managed to subdue the man with pepper spray and batons.

'No assaults on our members will ever be accepted'

Earlier, Assistant Garda Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Paul Cleary commended the gardaí for their “courage and professionalism” in what he said was an “unprovoked” attack.

The probationary garda, who has been based in the north inner city for 10 or 11 months, was injured in his upper right arm and his stab vest was damaged, he said.

Mr Cleary thanked members of the public who helped before other gardaí arrived at the scene in “less than a minute”.

“I think all of us, when we start in the guards and we take the oath, we know there are risks involved, and we know that there will be confrontation, however no assaults on our members will ever be accepted or will be tolerated,” he told RTÉ radio.

“Every garda going out on duty every day is aware of the potential risks, but as I said if you take this particular incident, for example, the official issue stabproof vest did its job.

“They were able to use the equipment made available to them — their ASP baton and pepper spray — to subdue the suspect immediately and to detain him, and that went hand-in-hand with their training.

“I’m happy that they do have the supports available to them going out on their high-visibility beats.” 

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said a garda is injured in the course of their duty nearly every day.

GRA vice president and representative for DMR North Central Niall Hodgins said: “On behalf of the Garda Representative Association, I wish to extend our heartfelt wishes to our injured friend and colleague and wish him a speedy recovery.

“This young probationary member was subject to a quite terrifying and unprovoked attack and only for his bravery and that of his colleagues this incident could have resulted in far worse and unthinkable consequences.

“Our job is tough. Our members continually run towards situations that others must flee from. But there is never, ever, an excuse for being exposed to such acts of random violence.

“The attacks being visited upon our members is shocking and we will never accept that being assaulted is being part of our job. More needs to be done to create a safer working environment where the risk of assault is reduced."