A Cavan community feels “revolted” after a member of An Garda Síochána was assaulted by a group of thugs at gunpoint. 

The victim spotted a car in the village of Blacklion acting suspiciously at 2am. After he tried to stop the car a gun was pulled on him and at least two men began to viciously assault him and pour petrol over him. 

He was dumped on the roadside and was feeling disoriented after suffering serious injuries. He was, however, able to raise the alarm and colleagues located him through GPS tracking. 

He is now recovering from his injuries in Sligo University Hospital.  

“The community here are - as I am - shocked and horrified by what we have heard happened in our area last night,” local Cllr John Paul Feeley told The Hard Shoulder. 

“I’ve just come from the scene - which remains sealed off - and there are Gardaí there continuing the examination of the jeep vehicle which the Guard in question was driving. 

“People are revolted that this would happen in our community in a very quiet, peaceful, rural area. 

“Admittedly we are along the border and that has in the past made us all too familiar with difficult and unpleasant situations but really this is a new low.” 

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The local Chief Superintendent, Alan McGovern, described the incident as "very serious". 

"Thankfully the incident has not resulted in a fatality or other serious injury,” he said. 

"The exact motive for this attack is yet to be determined but it is extremely concerning that a member of An Garda Síochána appears to have been targeted and doused in some form of accelerant, the exact intent of this attack is unknown at this time.

"I am appealing for any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí."

Main image: Garda inscription on a high-vis jacket is seen in January 2022. Picture by: Ronin / Alamy Stock Photo