BREAKING: Manhunt underway after Gardaí 'violently assaulted' and rushed to hospital

Shortly after 11.30am today, Thursday 16th April 2026, plain clothes Gardaí on patrol in County Monaghan stopped and spoke with a male (aged in his 20s). During the course of this interaction the male became violent and assaulted one of the Gardaí.

The male fled into fields and despite an ongoing search was not located.

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Shortly after 1pm, a Garda vehicle on patrol on the R184, Tullycorbett, Co Monaghan (north of Ballybay) was rammed by a Northern Ireland registered Audi car.

Two occupants of the car fled the scene and a search of the local area was commenced.

A male (aged in his 20s), believed to be the passenger of the vehicle and involved in the earlier assault has been arrested.

A search is ongoing for the driver of the vehicle. He is descried as being aged in his 20s, medium height and build, wearing a dark grey tracksuit top and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Both Gardaí in the patrol car, a male and a female, have been taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda for assessment of injuries.

A search of the area is ongoing involving frontline uniform Gardaí and plain clothes Gardaí from Louth/ Cavan/ Monaghan Garda Division, Regional Armed Support Units and Garda Air Support Unit.

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Any person with any information or sighting of the above described individual is asked to contact An Garda Síochána by calling 999/ 112 or Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200.

As this is an ongoing operation no further information is available at this time.

A Garda spokesperson is not available.