Gardaí are searching for the driver of a car that hit a garda member and dragged him for a “considerable distance” outside the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin yesterday.

The garda suffered “significant soft-tissue injuries” to his leg during the incident at around 6:45pm last night.

He was attempting to stop a Blue Fiat Bravo Hatchback Gardaí believe may have been connected to a previous theft in the area.

The driver failed to stop and drove off at speed – hitting the garda in the process.

“The member was dragged a considerable distance before falling on the road and later attended St Vincent's Hospital,” said a Garda spokesperson.

“Pending further medical assessments, it is known at this time that he has suffered significant soft tissue injuries to his lower leg.”

The car was later recovered at Kilcarrig Close in Tallaght.

Gardaí said the driver is believed to be part of a crime group that was planning a theft in the area.

Two men in their late 40s, arrested earlier in connection with the alleged plan, have been charged to appear before Dun Laoghaire District Court this morning.

Investigators are appealing to anyone with any information on the identity of the driver – or who knows anything about the crime group – to contact them.

They are also appealing for information on the Blue Fiat Bravo Hatchback that was used to injure the officer.