The Deputy General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association has criticised the riots at the Citywest in Dublin this week.
James Morrisroe said that members of An Garda Síochána had rocks, bottles, bricks, missiles, and fireworks directed at them from a few feet.
Prior to being appointed to the GRA, Mr. Morrisroe worked in the Cavan/Monaghan division of An Garda Síochána.
According to Mr. Morrisroe, some members of the Gardaí required stitches on their faces, as well as cuts and bruises, muscle injuries, and psychological injuries that will be carried with them.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show this morning, the former Cootehill based Garda said that the "thin blue line" held firm, but that he is worried about what would happen if the line had broken.
He said: "The thin blue line held, and kept that premises safe, and kept the public safe.
"Unfortunately, five of our members were injured, five to many. But they stood shoulder to shoulder with each other. I shudder to think what would have happened if they breached the line.
"I'm a representative for the safety, health, and welfare of our members, I'm not going to comment on who done what, or what happened. There's a lot of people before the courts at the moment, we can only deal with what we come across, but our members carry the brunt of it," Mr. Morrisroe explained.
