Garda patrol cars 'keyed' outside Dundalk Garda Station with incident branded 'disgraceful'

"While we are struggling to recruit more gardai, these incidents have a real negative impact"

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John Hand Chief Reporter

16:21, 16 Feb 2023Updated 21:16, 16 Feb 2023

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A personal car of a serving garda member that was keyed outside Dundalk Garda Station

Gardai are probing a sinister incident in which three patrol vehicles and eight private cars belonging to members were targeted outside a station in the northeast.

The vehicles were all keyed while parked outside Dundalk Garda Station in Co Louth.

The motive behind the incident is still unknown and no arrests have yet been made.

Derek O'Donoghue, the Garda Representative Association's rep for Co Louth, branded the incident as "disgraceful."

He told the Irish Mirror: "It's shocking that this has happened to gardai's personal property and they also targeted patrol vehicles.

"An investigation is underway but it's still quite fresh.

"But while we are struggling to recruit more gardai, these incidents have a real negative impact. And morale at the moment in the force is at an all time low."

Garda vehicles have been targeted in Dundalk repeatedly since 2019.

Although it is not thought that this incident is connected to any previous, Donoghue added: "You also have to take into account that this is not the first incident in Dundalk.

"It is a recurring theme which is very concerning for all based there."

A garda spokesman confirmed a probe is underway.

A spokesman said: "Gardai are investigating a number of incidents of criminal damage which occurred outside Dundalk Garda Station in the early hours of this morning.

"There have been no arrests. Investigations are ongoing."

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