Stolen car driven wrong way on M50: three teens arrested, two gardaí hospitalised

Three people were arrested after a stolen car chase on Dublin's M50 in the early hours. Two gardaí were taken to hospital but have since been discharged.

Stolen car chase on M50 ends in three arrests and two officers hospitalised

Two gardaí were taken to hospital and three people were arrested after a high-speed pursuit of a stolen car in south Dublin in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Irish Independent reports.

The incident began at around 1am when a car failed to stop for a garda patrol on the Nangor Road as part of what gardaí described as "proactive anti-crime operations". Multiple garda units were deployed as part of a managed containment operation, and the vehicle was eventually brought to a stop on the Cruagh Road in Rathfarnham.

Three people were arrested at the scene — two younger teenagers and an 18-year-old man identified as the driver. The two younger teenagers have since been released without charge. The 18-year-old remains in custody at a south Dublin garda station and can be held for questioning for up to 24 hours.

The two male gardaí injured when their patrol car was struck during the pursuit have since been discharged from hospital. The stolen vehicle — reported stolen shortly before the incident — is currently undergoing forensic examination.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) condemned the behaviour, stating that young men are "playing Russian roulette with reckless and deadly driving" and represent a serious threat to both the public and the officers sworn to protect them.

GRA president Niall Hodgins extended his wishes for "a fast and successful recovery from what was a traumatic event" to the two injured officers. He added that without "the decision making, bravery and actions" of the gardaí involved, such pursuits could result in far greater bloodshed.

Source: Irish Independent