Gardaí 'confident they know identity' of shooter in Tallaght gun attack on patrol car

A gunman shot at gardaí while they were in the Rossfield area of Tallaght in the early hours of Saturday.

At least one bullet struck the bonnet of the marked car but the unarmed gardaí were lucky to escape uninjured during the attack.

While no arrests have yet been made, sources said a suspect has been identified by investigators.

"Gardaí are confident they know the identity of the person responsible for this, he is a young man from the area, and arrests in this investigation are expected," a source said.

"There are also concerns that this may have been premeditated.

"Gardaí had received reports of an armed person in the area and when they went to investigate, they were shot at."

Detectives believe that up to three men, including the gunman, were involved in the incident.

It happened at around 2.30am in the Rossfield Avenue area as officers approached a group of young men.

One was armed with a handgun and another with a baseball bat.

After the shots were fired, the gunman fled the scene.

A technical examination of the garda patrol vehicle was also carried out.

While the gardaí were not physically injured, they are understood to have been left shaken after the incident.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the gun attack highlighted the danger gardaí face while doing their jobs.

"News of incidents such as this remind us just how dangerous and unpredictable policing can be," a GRA spokesman said.

"We acknowledge the courage and professionalism of the members involved and wish them well after such a traumatic incident."

Gardaí in Tallaght are continuing to investigate the incident.

"No arrests have been made in connection with this incident. Investigations ongoing," a garda spokesman said.

"Gardaí in Tallaght are appealing to anyone who has any information or footage (including dash cam) to come forward to them."

Anyone with information can contact Tallaght garda station at 01 666 6000, the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.