Two gardai had to be hospitalised yesterday after a vicious attack by a former MMA fighter they were assisting following a crash.
The incident happened at around 10am on Thursday morning, after a single-vehicle collision on the M50 near Finglas.
A female officer bravely attempted to confront the man and try to reason with him before he turned aggressor.
The male garda then tried to intervene but he was punched in the head while a part of his personal protective gear was ripped off.
Garda Representative Association rep Detective Mark Ferris, said:
"The male officer told me that he didn’t know which was more dangerous, the vicious assault or the prospect of being hit by a passing car."
The man, who is aged in his 20s, was finally subdued before he was brought to hospital.
The two gardai who were injured were treated before being discharged by medics on Thursday evening.
The GRA's Det Gda Ferris said: "I have spoken with both officers who have now been discharged from hospital and are recuperating from their injuries at home.
"They wish to thank the ambulance and hospital staff for their medical assistance during what was a shocking and traumatic event."
Ferris added: "We hope that the next coalition government understands that policing is not simply another public sector job but one that deserves to be treated as a specialised role with a unique risk profile.
"That being so, the continued situation whereby we have less of a voice than other public sector workers, but are far more exposed than most to violent and irrational members of the public, is one that is the source of immense frustration and anger within our ranks."
A garda spokesman confirmed that officers who attended the incident were assaulted by the driver and sole occupant of the car while no arrests have been made.
