A GARDA is recovering after his nose was broken in a vicious assault during a Garth Brooks concert.
The Irish Mirror has learned the officer was rushed to hospital for treatment following the attack during Saturday’s sell-out gig by the American singer in Croke Park.
The superstar, 60, was performing in front of 80,000 adoring fans at the Dublin headquarters of the GAA.
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Sources say the officer, who is based in Mountjoy district that is responsible for policing in the area, suffered a broken nose in the incident.
He was attacked when he was on duty at pitch level for the concert – one of five dates the performer is playing in the capital.
The suspected attacker was quickly tackled by the officer’s colleagues and was later arrested and charged.
He is expected to appear at the Dublin District Court later today.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the attack on the officer last night and said it was an isolated incident.
He told the Irish Mirror: “In the course of responding to an isolated public order incident at an event in Croke Park on Saturday, 10th September 2022, a member of An Garda Siochana sustained a facial injury while assisting stewards.
“His injuries required hospital treatment.
“A man in his late 20s was arrested at the scene and taken to Store Street Garda Station. He is expected to appear before Dublin District Court on Monday 12th September, charged in connection with the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
Sources said the vast majority of people attending the Garth Brooks concerts at Croke Park have been well behaved.
But there have been a small number of public order incidents. The insiders said as well as the attack on the garda more than a dozen people were arrested in the stadium for public order offences on the Saturday.
Most were for minor offences, such as being drunk or using aggressive language.
The concerts on Friday and last night are understood to have passed off without a serious incident. It is understood gardai will release final numbers of arrests when all five concerts are concluded – with the final two taking place on Friday and Saturday this week.
Some 400,000 people will have attended the concerts which finally took place eight years after they were originally announced and axed.
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