A YOUNG trainee garda was "lucky to escape with his life" in Limerick early yesterday when he was struck by a stolen car. Another garda was injured in the same incident.
The incident, described by a Garda spokesman as "horrific and a new development in the city", occurred at 1.25 a.m. at Hyde Avenue, Prospect.
Gardai in a patrol car approached a car believed to have been stolen. Trainee Garda John Keating (21), a native of Kilbaha, Co. Clare, approached the car after it had stalled. It suddenly drove off at speed and the young garda, based at Roxbow station, was dragged underneath for 40 yards.
He sustained serious injuries and broke both collarbones, a shoulder, hip and ankle. He was removed to Limerick Regional Hospital, where his medical condition was described as "stable".
The patrol car pursued the stolen vehicle and managed to stop it at Raheen Square, Ballinacurra Weston. As he was trying to arrest the driver, Garda Brian Kelliher was attacked by about 15 youths. He was punched and kicked, and stones, bricks and roof tiles were thrown through the patrol car windows. Garda Kelliher was discharged from hospital after treatment.
A Garda spokesman said the stealing of cars in the city came in waves, but the type of attack on the gardai in this incident was a new occurrence.
Gardai are following a definite line of inquiry.