Three gardaí policing Covid-19 rules assaulted at house in Donegal

Gardaí in Donegal were responding to a house party organised by a group of people from Northern Ireland when they were assaulted on Saturday.

It is understood a group of about eight men and women had travelled from Derry to stay in a holiday home in Milford in the north of the county.

The group began posting photographs of their gathering on social media, which drew the attention of locals and, eventually, the property owner.

The owner contacted gardaí who went out to check for breaches of Covid-19 regulations that forbid house parties. When they arrived at midday on Saturday they believed drugs were being consumed on the property and called for backup from the local drugs unit.

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One of the men at the property then allegedly punched a garda, leaving him with a concussion. A woman officer suffered damaged ligaments from restraining one of the group and another male member was also struck but not seriously injured.

Two of the gardaí were taken for treatment at Letterkenny hospital while one was treated at the scene.

Arrests

Two men in their 20s were arrested and taken to Milford Garda station. They have since been charged and are due to appear before Letterkenny District Court on March 29th.

A third man in his late teens was also arrested for public order offences. He has since been released without charge, pending consideration for the adult caution scheme.

A small quantity of cocaine was also seized during the incident. Several fixed-penalty notices for breaching public health regulations will also be issued, said gardaí and investigations are ongoing.