Gardai injured as they saved a woman from setting herself on fire inside station: 'They were very brave'
Two gardai are recovering after they were injured - when they bravely intervened to stop a woman setting herself on fire inside their station.The horror incident happened inside Bailieboro Garda Station in Co Cavan on Saturday afternoon.The Irish Mirror has learned that one Garda member suffered cuts in the drama - while the other sustained a fractured thumb. But senior officers have no doubt their actions saved the woman’s life - and they both remained on duty despite their injuries.“They went into harm’s way to protect her,” a source told us.We have learned that the incident started at around 2.45pm when the woman rang the rural station to complain about an associate being arrested over a separate matter.It is understood she said she would set herself alight if the associate was not released. And around 15 minutes later, she actually went to the station - and doused herself in petrol there.A source told us she repeatedly tried to use a lighter to set herself ablaze - but the two officers intervened.“The lighter did not catch and the lads moved in quickly to get rid of the threat. They were both very brave," one source said.It’s understood the woman was later detained under the Mental Health Act. She was not injured in the incident and there was no fire.A Garda spokesman confirmed the incident took place - and said senior officers in the area have commended the members for their bravery.The spokesman told us: “Gardaí responded to an incident in Bailieboro, Co. Cavan on Saturday 2nd 2026 at approximately 3:00pm. Two uniformed frontline Gardaí intervened to prevent a female from causing serious self-harm. In the course of the interaction both members sustained injuries and were medically assessed.“They remained on duty. Local Garda management has commended the members for the professionalism displayed and selfless swift courageous actions. Support of the Employee Assistance service and all other welfare supports are being made available to the members.”Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
