Six children rescued from van in Cork: van driver hits three garda cars

        photo:garda image

Six children were rescued from a van in Cork last night after the male driver in his 30s damaged two patrol cars and three other vehicles.

While two gardaí received treatment for non-life threatening injuries, none of the six children, who ranged in age from an infant to a 10-year-old, were injured in the incident.

At around 9pm, the driver of the van was spotted driving erratically on the N8 near Fermoy, heading towards Cork city.

Gardaí were alerted and intercepted the vehicle, which they found to contain the children.

A Garda spokesperson said: "At approximately 9.45pm, gardaí signalled for a van to stop in the Mahon area. 

A little while later, the van halted, but when the Garda tried to speak with the driver, the Garda vehicle was hit once more because it had failed to stop earlier.

When two more Garda vehicles arrived on the scene, they made an attempt to block the van but were both rammed.

Concerns over the children's safety prompted the Regional Support Unit to be contacted, and "a managed containment effort ensued."

The car was brought to a stop after "a stringer device was successfully deployed at Cars Hill," it was noted.

Following the incident, two garda cars in total sustained significant damage, while three other vehicles only sustained minor damage.

The driver was taken into custody shortly after 10 o'clock at Bridewell Garda Station, where he is being held in accordance with Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1984.

The statement stated, "All members engaged are receiving help from their peers and local Garda Management, and the wider organisational supports of the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Peer Support Service, and 24-hour Counseling Service have been provided if required."

Anyone with information on this incident or the video footage is urged to call the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda station, including Anglesea Garda Station at (021) 452 2000.