A WOMAN tried to stab two gardaí with a knife after a high-speed car chase on a country road. The woman became very aggressive and produced the weapon after her car was pulled over by gardaí soon after midnight.

The disturbing incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, a few kilometres from the village of Ballacolla.

The gardaí, a male and a female, were on mobile patrol in the area at about 1am when they noticed a car parked at Tintore on the Rathdowney Road. A woman was sitting in the driver’s seat and it is understood they suspected she had been driving under the influence of alcohol. When gardaí approached the vehicle, it took off at high speed and they had to give chase in a patrol car. The gardaí eventually intercepted the getaway car and forced it to pull over.

After both officers approached the car, the woman became extremely physically aggressive and violent. She also produced a knife and tried to stab both gardaí. They managed to confiscate the knife without suffering injuries and the woman was arrested and handcuffed at the scene.

She was brought to Portlaoise Garda Station for questioning and was released without charge later that day.

A garda spokesperson said the incident is being investigated fully and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide what charges should be brought against the woman.