The two members of the gardai who died this morning after their patrol car was in collision with a car being driving by two suspected joyriders in Dublin have been named.
They were 53-year-old Anthony Tighe, originally from Ranelagh in Dublin. The driver of the patrol car, he was married with four children and had been a member of the force for over 30 years.
The other garda, 27-year-old Michael Padden was unmarried and originally from Belmullet, Co Mayo. He had been in the force for just 4 years.
The President, Mrs McAleese, led the tributes to the two gardai, expressing her sadness at the news. The Minister for Justice, Mr John O’Donoghue, said he was shocked and saddened by the deaths of the men and extended his sympathy to the families of the dead men.
The officers died after a suspected stolen Mazda sports car crashed into their patrol car at the junction of the Stillorgan dual-carriageway and Fosters Avenue at about 6.30 a.m.
Gardai said the Mazda, which was being driven at "horrifically high speeds", had been stolen during a burglary in Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Superintendent John Farrelly said the two officers were trying to ensure drivers did not stray into the path of the car when they were hit.
The gardaí were unconscious when they arrived at hospital and died a short time later, a spokeswoman said.
The two occupants of the sports car were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital where their injuries are not said to be life threatening. They are under arrest.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area of the Stillorgan dual-carriageway at the time of the incident to come forward.
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