Irish police officer stabbed by 23-year-old citizen in Dublin

The incident happened at around 6pm on Capel Street on Dublin’s northside. A video showed the man swinging a knife wildly at the two gardaí who were trying to subdue him. It also shows a garda being attended to by colleagues as emergency services rushed to his aid. It is understood he suffered injuries to his arm and to his side.

The attacker has since been arrested and can be held for up to 24 hours.

Videos of the attack showed officers using their batons to detain the man as several units rushed to support them.

In a statement, the Garda Representative Association said: "The GRA has been shocked by another seriously violent and unprovoked attack on one of our members while defending the public on Dublin’s Capel Street tonight.

"We wish you a strong recovery and commend your colleagues who came to your aid. These attacks must stop."

Gardaí were last night taking statements from a large number of witnesses. They will also be reviewing CCTV from local businesses to establish what happened.

A Garda statement said: "Earlier this evening, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, while on routine high-visibility patrol in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1, a member of An Garda Síochána was subjected to an unprovoked assault by a male [who was arrested at the scene].

"The member of An Garda Síochána who sustained injuries has been taken to a hospital in Dublin for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No further information is currently available."

Sources have described how a large Garda presence was called to the scene to quell any potential further disturbance after the man was apprehended.

"What appears to have happened is that two members were on the beat walking down Capel Street carrying out their normal duties," a source said.

"They were both in uniform. Then it appears that one of the gardaí noticed someone behind him and was attacked.

"The attacker was armed with a blade, something along the lines of a kitchen knife, and just kept going for the gardaí. They managed to apprehend him at the end after they took out their batons.

"One garda was injured as a result of it all. He got hit by the knife during one of the swings and needed medical attention. He is expected to make a full recovery following the incident."

Senior Government figures were briefed by An Garda Síochána last night about the attack. They were told the suspect is a 23-year-old Irish citizen.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.