Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a garda during a failed robbery at a north Dublin petrol station last night.
The garda sustained a hand injury after responding to a report of a robbery taking place in Finglas at 10.30 p.m. He was released from hospital after treatment.
The four robbers had tied up members of staff at the Statoil station and were trying to break in to a safe when gardaí arrived.
At least one shot was fired and the raiders escaped empty-handed in a Mercedes that was later found burnt out in Swords.
Two men, aged 21 and 34, were arrested today in connection with the incident. They are being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station.
The Garda Representative Association said the onus was on the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell to ensure gardaí had the full protection of the law.
Mr Dermot O'Donnell, President of the GRA, claimed mandatory jail terms were the only deterrent against attacks on officers.
"Mr McDowell has a responsibility to the proposed 2000 extra young gardaí he hopes to recruit," he said. "They have to know that even though the job in itself has its inherent risks, the state must do all it can to ensure their safety, and punish those who would wish to do them harm."
Mr McDowell said "the problem was not unarmed gardaí, but armed criminals."