A brave garda suffered injuries as he tried to rescue two children inside the car of a crazed drunk driver.
The garda, a well known officer stationed in Nenagh, suffered head injuries, a broken ankle, numerous cuts and bruises, and is currently recovering in the University Hospital Limerick.
The incident happened on Friday in Birdhill, Co Tipperary at around 6.50pm.
The garda leapt from his patrol car and attempted to open the car door to bring the pursuit to a stop.
As the video shows he dragged along the road as the driver took off - the Irish Mirror has learned that two young kids were inside the vehicle.
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A source said: "The garda was flung down the road at a huge speed and suffered serious injuries.
"The gardai knew they had to bring this driver to a stop because of those children on board - this was as much about helping those children as protecting other road users from this drunk driver.
"It could have been much worse - but thankfully he is recovering with just a broken ankle and some other injuries.
"The man was arrested and processed for drunk driving - a file will be prepared to determine the charges."
A man in his 50s, who is known to gardai, was arrested and taken to Nenagh Garda Station.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating a road traffic collision that occurred in the Birdhill area of Tipperary at approximately 6.50pm on 11/05/2019 where a Garda member was injured.
“Gardaí initially responded to a call in relation to a possible drink driver in the Birdhill area at 5.50pm. Gardaí observed a man entering a jeep. The driver failed to stop and drove towards Birdhill.
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“At a junction in Birdhill, the car lost control and collided with a sign post. A Garda officer approached the vehicle and was injured when the jeep reversed and drove towards the Limerick road at speed.
“The injured Garda was taken to University Hospital Limerick where it was identified that he sustained a broken ankle, numerous cuts and bruises and head injuries. No further injuries were reported.
“A man in his 50's was subsequently arrested and was detained at Nenagh Garda Station.
“The scene has been examined by Garda Forensic Collisions Investigators and investigations are ongoing."
