The garda who was hit by a stolen car in Donegal last month died today.
Garda Robbie McCallion (29) died in Beaumont hospital this afternoon as a result of injuries sustained when responding to a report of a stolen car in Letterkenny on March 26th.
As he stepped from the patrol car at the Tara Court housing estate off the Ramelton Road, he was struck by the stolen car, a red Peugeot, which drove straight at him and which gardaí were attempting to block from leaving the estate.
Garda McCallion was pinned against a wall and sustained serious head and arm injuries.
He was rushed to Letterkenny General Hospital, and transferred by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
The driver, a 17-year-old, was arrested at the scene. A blood sample was taken and sent for examination on suspicion of drink-driving. His passenger fled on foot but was arrested near the Silver Tassie Hotel on the road to Milford.
A second garda sustained minor arm injuries and a third officer was uninjured.
Garda McCallion (29) and his family have a long history of service to the force. His older brother, John, is a garda in Ballina, Co Mayo. Their retired father, Bob, was for many years a garda in Swinford, Co Mayo, where the brothers and their two sisters grew up.
Speaking at the Agsi conference in Athlone today Commissioner Fachtna Murphy expressed his deep regret and sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Garda McCallion.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern also expressed his “great sadness” at the tragic death of Garda McCallion.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and the community I extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Robbie.
“I know that they have shown great fortitude in the recent difficult days in which they have had the unstinting support of the whole community.
”While nothing can be expected to console them in their tragic loss, I hope that they can take some comfort from the fact that Robbie gave his life as a member of An Garda Síochána protecting the community he was so proud to serve in the best traditions of the force.”
”Robbie's death is a desperately sad reminder of the dangers which members of An Garda Síochána can face in trying to protect the community and of the support we owe them.”