Garda vehicle rammed in Limerick town by driver of stolen Mercedes

TWO GARDAI were left shaken after the driver of a stolen Mercedes rammed into the front of their patrol vehicle in Kilmallock early this Wednesday morning.

A garda spokesperson confirmed officers are investigating an incident of burglary and unauthorised taking of vehicles from a premises in Croom in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday July 10.

"During the course of this incident two cars were stolen. The incident occurred at approximately 4am," said a garda spokesperson. The two cars were a blue Mercedes and a red Hyundai Tucson.

At approximately 7.30am, gardaí located the Mercedes when it was involved in an incident of dangerous driving in the Kilmallock area. Gardai were responding to a report of suspicious activity at the time.

"The stolen vehicle collided with an official garda vehicle and left the scene. This vehicle was later located abandoned at a different location," said the garda spokesperson. The red Hyundai Tucson has not been located at this time.

The ramming incident occurred in Castlecourt, Kilmallock. It is understood the driver of the Mercedes drove it straight at the front of the garda car. Fortunately, the two gardai - a male and a female - escaped physical injury but are understandably shaken.

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Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

"Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Croom area between 3.30am and 4.30am and the Kilmallock area between 7am and 8am are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bruff garda station on 061 382940, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station," said the garda spokesperson.

It is understood this incident is not connected to a public order incident in Kilmallock on Sunday night involved feuding local families.