A garda has been seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident in Co Louth.
At about 1.45pm, the Dundalk Garda Roads Policing unit stopped a car on the northbound carriageway of the M1 near Junction 20 (Jonesborough) while conducting routine mobile speed checks along the route.
Gardaí say the car initially stopped, but was then driven away from the scene, injuring a garda who had got out of a patrol car to speak to the driver.
The garda, who is based in the Dundalk District, was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
His injuries are said to be serious but are not believed to be life-threatening.
The motorway was closed to traffic for a short time but has since reopened.
Neither the driver nor the car involved in the incident have yet been located.
Gardaí have appealed to witnesses to come forward, and are also appealing to road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) from along the M1 route at the time of the incident to make it available to investigators.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
