Garda from Co Cork tells his story of a vicious attack by Six thugs – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Garda from Co Cork tells his story of a vicious attack by Six thugs




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A garda from Co Cork told his story of how he was brutally assaulted by six thugs when he and a colleague made a routine traffic stop.

Sgt Dave Haughney had received  horrific injuries that almost left him nearly blind in one eye.
Sgt Haughney was brutally attacked when he and a colleague made a routine traffic stop in Cork shortly before Christmas. It is believed that a group of six men got out of the vehicle and viciously attacked both officers. Sgt Haughney had a stone thrown at him which almost left him blind in the left eye. Sgt Haughney is still undergoing recovery and has only 25% vision remaining. Mr Haughney is yet to return to work due to the extent of his injuries. However, Mr Haughney wants  to share this photograph (above) in a bid to highlight the serious dangers the Gardai face on a daily basis.

Meanwhile the vice president of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors Willie Gleeson made a statement  describing how Sgt Haughney’s life had been affected by the horrific assault. Mr Gleeson said: “Dave suffered a very serious injury and he has lost 75% of the sight in his left eye. “But his attitude, his recuperation and his positive attitude to his recovery is unbelievable. Dave is a frontline supervisor on the Traffic Corps, out and about on the streets day and night. “He is also a trained public order supervisor and he’s a trained instructor on the ASP [extendable] baton and the OC [pepper] spray. He’s also a videographer for the Public Order Unit. “This injury to his eye has had and will have a huge effect on his day-to-day working and obviously driving is an issue and he is still out sick”.

“At our conference, we acknowledged Dave and his attitude and obviously his other colleague who was with him on the night and who thankfully was not seriously injured.” Mr Gleeson spoke of his admiration for his colleague and said he was keen to show the danger gardai face. Mr Gleeson went onto say: “Dave wanted us to highlight the injury that occurred at a flashpoint in the middle of the night in a rural area. “Dave was happy we would do that – not for his own benefit but for his colleagues and maybe to give people an understanding this is what happens and what can happen without any notification. “We need manpower out there to ensure the safety of the public but also the safety of our own colleagues. “Dave is a big strong man and has taken this burden on him with great dignity and that is to his credit.”

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