A manhunt was under way for three burglary gang members after a hero garda suffered a broken nose when he attempted to confront one of the dangerous suspects.

The garda, aged in his 30s, was still being treated in hospital last night for severe facial injuries.

A notorious 28-year-old criminal from Tallaght, Dublin, was being held in Clondalkin garda station.

The distressing incident unfolded at 2pm yesterday when the garda, who is based at Rathcoole garda station, intervened as the burglary gang left a house in Newcastle village, south Dublin.

The "organised crime grouping" had stolen cash and jewellery and rammed the garda's car and another car in a high-powered, stolen Audi RS6 vehicle when he attempted to confront him.

The garda was dragged on the ground and viciously assaulted by one gang member while three suspected accomplices escaped the scene.

It is understood an innocent civilian bystander also received injuries in the incident. Last night, a senior source described the arrested 28-year-old as a "main player" in a burglary gang who are suspected of carrying out 30 burglaries in the past 10 days from locations spanning Swords in north Dublin to Co Tipperary.

The arrested suspect has been a target for gardaí and has multiple previous convictions.

Investigations have established that the grey-coloured Audi RS6 was stolen in England in recent months and has a specially modified five-litre engine which makes it easy to escape from gardaí on our motorway system.

"Even the Garda helicopter can struggle to keep up with this car," a source explained.

After the 28-year-old was arrested, officers found a large number of burglary implements in the Audi's boot including two-way radios, extendable ladders, cutting equipment and extra fuel.

His suspected accomplices, who are also believed to be from Tallaght, have not yet been arrested but it is suspected they have been driving in convoy.

Irish Independent