Two Garda cars rammed in late-night Athlone incident

Two Garda cars were damaged when they were rammed by a black BMW in an incident which took place in the Marine View area of Athlone during the early hours of Monday morning. 

The BMW, which was occupied by a number of people, sped away from the scene and onto the M6 motorway heading in the direction of Ballinsloe. 

A man in his 20s was subsequently arrested in the Portumna area on suspicion of drug driving in the BMW.  

Outlining details of what occurred, Sergeant Andrew Haran said Gardai in Athlone received a call about suspicious behaviour involving a car in the Marine View area at 2.30am on Monday. 

When they arrived, a male jumped into the car, in which a number of others were present. The vehicle then fled from the scene, ramming the two patrol cars in the process. 

The man who was later arrested in Portumna has been questioned and a file is being prepared for to the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Sergeant Haran said nobody was injured when the two cars were rammed, but both Garda vehicles will require some repairs to be carried out before they can be returned for use again. 

He said the Gardai were continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident.