A man has been arrested after an attempted arson attack on a patrol car outside a Co Louth Garda station.
The incident occurred at around 11:10pm on Tuesday night outside Dundalk Garda Station.
Two officers who were exiting the station at the time noticed two men acting suspiciously at the rear of a parked patrol car.
Both men fled the scene and were pursued by gardai. One man, aged in his 20s was caught and arrested.
It is understood that the vehicle belonged to the drugs unit.
Local Sinn Fein Councillor Ruairí Ó Murchú has described the attack as "brazen and reprehensible".
He said: "I spoke to Superintendent Gerry Curley this morning in relation to the recent petrol bomb attacks on a house in Clontygora Court.
"During that conversation Superintendent Curley told me that there was also an attempted arson attack last night on a Garda drugs unit vehicle which was parked outside Dundalk Garda Station.
"Thankfully the attackers were disturbed in the act and one individual was arrested.
"The fact that those responsible would have the audacity to mount such an attack at the Garda Station shows how brazen and emboldened these criminals are.
"I also think that it is possible that these criminals identified and targeted the Drugs Unit vehicle in particular.
"This attack further demonstrates the need for a fully resourced Garda service in Louth.
"The Garda Commissioner must rethink any reorganisation plans which would reduce resources from Dundalk and Co Louth."
A garda spokeswoman said: "Gardaí in Dundalk are investigating a suspected arson incident which occurred at approximately 11:10pm outside Dundalk Garda Station, Co. Louth on the 3rd of September 2019.
"Two Garda members were exiting the Garda station when they observed two men in dark clothing at the rear of an Garda patrol car.
"Both men ran from the scene and Gardaí detained one man (20s) who was arrested and is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1084 in Dundalk Garda Station."
