Off-duty garda arrested for drink-driving after crash

An off-duty garda was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a road crash involving three vehicles in Co Monaghan left three people hospitalised.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is examining the circumstances behind the crash on Saturday involving a garda car and two other vehicles.

The incident occurred after a garda patrol car pulled in to assist a broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder of the N2 in Moyles, Co Monaghan, at about 11.20pm on Saturday.

A third vehicle then drove into the rear of the patrol car, causing the garda car to collide with the first vehicle. Both vehicles were seriously damaged in the incident.

The driver of the third car fled the scene but was later arrested for alleged drink-driving. GSOC confirmed he was an off-duty garda.

Three people, including the driver of the broken down car and the two gardaí in the patrol car, were taken to Cavan Monaghan Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The garda who was arrested has since been released and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. He will likely face internal disciplinary measures implemented by the Garda Síochána, according to GSOC.

A separate Garda investigation into the incident is ongoing.