The officer was one of a number of dedicated Gardaí involved in a sustained late night operation over several hours to catch the gang.
Details of the operation can be revealed for the first time today by Donegal Daily.
It follows a burglary late on Thursday night near Glen as a gang in a northern-registered black hatchback.
This vehicle was the subject of a community alert on Donegal Daily yesterday. The start of the registration is XIW.
Although the car is a County Derry registration, the gang resides here in Donegal and is suspected of involvement in dozens of raids on homes and business premises over the past few months.
A lone Garda managed to locate the latest car being used by the gang but as he approached on foot the driver – who had been hidden from view – suddenly accelerated towards him.
The officer managed to get out of the way of the oncoming car and raise the alarm with colleagues.
“He could have been killed,” said one source.
What followed was a three hour search across north Donegal, involving high speed chases across a wide area, starting in Glen and going through Kilmacrennan and Churchill areas.
The vehicle disappeared. At one stage Gardaí thought the gang may have crashed into a field.
If you know anything about this gang, or know the whereabouts of the car which was used, then call Gardaí immediately.
You can call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
If you see suspicious activity, call 999.
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