AN ARSON investigation has been launched following an attack on a Garda's home while he and his young family slept inside.
The horrific attack took place in Dundalk, Co Louth at approximately 11pm last night, Sunday 7 June, when the unnamed Garda, his pregnant wife and two young children were in the house.
It is understood that a man ran up to the family home and threw an incendiary device which set trees and one side of the house alight, with RTÉ reporting that the strength of the heat cracked the windows of the house.
The children, aged six and eight, who were asleep at the time of the attack, were taken from their beds and the family escaped without injury, but remain severely traumatised from the targeted attack.
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Ruairí Ó Murchú shared a shocking photograph of the blaze, stating that the fire attack "was a malicious attack on a family who are well-known and very well respected in this area".
The fire attack on the family home of a Garda in Bay Estate was a “brazen and shocking" incident and was "an attack on the whole community".
This was a malicious attack on a family who are well-known and very well respected in this area.https://t.co/bzfDjmTrFg pic.twitter.com/Ie7TQnVIZp— Ruairí Ó Murchú (@ROMurchu) June 8, 2020
This arson incident is the third such attack on the home of a Garda in the Dundalk area in the last 18 months, according to the Garda Representative Association.
In a statement, the Association condemned the "abhorrent" and "traumatic" attack which put a young family at risk, with GRA president Jim Mulligan saying it is unacceptable that members of An Garda Síochána were being attacked and intimidated.
"Someone could have died last night and there would be a very different scene this morning," he said.
GRA General Secretary Pat Ennis extended his sympathies to the member involved, and said "This was a truly traumatic incident for our member and his family.
"He had two small children and an expectant wide and had to evacuate the house after neighbours raised the alarm."
"Attacking the property of committed public servants who have been targeted for carrying out their duty is a serious crime and I very much hope those responsible are brought to justice as soon as possible and dealt with appropriately by the courts."
"I urge anyone with information about this attack to contact gardaí."
Anyone who may have information in connection with the incident, or who may have witnessed it, is urged to come forward.
They are also seeking information on a white van seen in the Bay Estate area at around 3pm yesterday.
Gardaí are wishing to speak to anyone who was in the Bay Estate area of Dundalk between 10.30pm and 11.30pm last night to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
