A GARDA has undergone emergency surgery after his high-powered firearm accidentally discharged inside his patrol car at a Limerick City Garda station.
He is understood to have sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle at Mayorstone Garda Station last Thursday.
While the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, Garda management referred the matter to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
Apart from confirming that they had “received a referral to an incident”, a GSOC spokesman said they “would not making any further comment at this time.”
The Garda is a member of the regional Armed Support Unit (ASU) who are armed with Sig Sauer P226 9mm self-loading pistols and Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine guns. Their patrol cars also carry Benelli M4 Super 90 semi-automatic shotguns.
ASU members carry the Sig Sauer on their person at all times while on duty. They usually only take out the MP7 in certain circumstances if there is an attack imminent and they have to follow certain escalation protocols.
The ASU and ERU (Emergency Response Unit) were previously armed with Uzi machine guns but these were decommissioned in favour of the MP7 submachine gun.
A security source said that “the Uzis were taken out and the mp7s brought in because they were deemed to be better and safer”, adding that it was always possible that some part of a gun could degrade and lead to a malfunction.
The bullet that struck the Garda was retrieved inside his patrol car, near the footwell of the vehicle. Forensic officers recovered and removed the spent shell for a technical examination.
A source said the Garda injured in Thursday’s shooting is “a very respected” in the force and is very experienced in using firearms.
“The ASU in Limerick were instrumental in solving the gang feud. They are an absolute credit to the force and the gangs are terrified of them,” the source said.
“They are highly trained and highly thought of by everyone in the force. And they have high standards to maintain. They’re a brilliant asset, super operators, but there is always a danger.”
It is understood that the Garda was on duty at the time of the incident and may have been about to go on a break when the gun went off.
