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GARDAÍ HAVE BEEN spat or coughed at 80 times since Covid-19 travel restrictions were introduced on 8 April.
New figures from 8 April to 23 May show gardai used anti-spit guards 60 times.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemned the attacks on members of the force.
“These disgraceful spitting and coughing attacks on gardai while simply carrying out their lawful duties remains a serious concern for the organisation. These are a significant health and safety risk to our members in the current environment. We must protect them from such attacks.”
This includes having the option of using anti-spit guards in very limited circumstances. We have made it clear these anti-spit guards are only to be used as last resort and in line with the garda decision making model, which includes at its centre human rights and our code of ethics.
Harris said anti-spit guards provide an additional tactical option to be considered and are typically used as a last resort.
He said the garda policy around the use of anti-spit guards will be reviewed in September.
The latest figures also show regulations brought in as part of the lockdown have been enforced 263 times.
These include both arrests and incidents without arrest where name and address details were taken for consultation with the Director of Public Prosecution on the decision to issue charges.
Of the 263 incidents, two were as a result of an instruction from a relevant medical professional.
Sixty-six incidents lead to a charge or summons being issued while the rest are still under investigation.
The force said that gardai have interacted with tens of thousands of people while on patrol or at checkpoints and the vast majority were adhering to the public health guidelines.
In addition, pre-existing enforcement powers were used in 1,752 incidents where other offences were disclosed in the course of Covid-19 operations.
These range from incidents such as drink-driving or disqualified drivers detected at checkpoints, to drugs and weapons seizures, to public order offences.
The number of incidents involving other suspected crimes continues to far exceed the number of cases involving only breaches of Government restrictions.
Harris said there continues to be very good co-operation by the public with An Garda Siochana.
“It is vital that we all keep on playing our part in reducing the spreading of Covid-19 by adhering to the updated public health guidelines.”
Our priority over the coming weeks will be to ensure this primarily through community engagement at key locations such as parks, beaches and natural beauty spots.
“We also remind people, particularly coming up to the bank holiday weekend, about not travelling to holiday homes or making non-essential journeys.”
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I really don’t envy the job Gardaí do. I can’t imagine what it must be like to go to work every day and not know what/who you may have to face. Gardaí often times perform a thankless job.
I wonder is this a significant increase compared to normal – spitting seems to be a regular tactic of the country’s vermin.
There should be a new offence brought in, in regard to spitting at anyone especially Garda. A mandatory 3 month sentence for anybody spitting at front line workers. Absolutely disgusting behaviour towards people risking there lives so we can be safe absolute zero tolerance of something that could spread a deadly virus should be adopted
@Pat Kelly: It already is an offence! Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act – Assault – an application of force in the form “of matter in solid liquid or gaseous form.”
Up to 6 months imprisonment and a fine of 1500!
Maybe throw in Endangerment too, but it’s hard to make that charge stick.
@Edward Natali: Sorry, been a long day and I’m wrecked. Does that mean it’s a offense to fart in the direction of a Garda ?
@Pat Kelly: if the courts give them 6 years for murder, with three years off for good behaviour and time served .what kind of sentence do u think our liberal judges will give them for spitting.
@Tommy Roche: I guess it’s all up to judicial interpretation, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Yet to see a precedent though!Would love to see the Judges reaction for using up their time for such a dangerous gaseous discharge though :)
@flamrock: Murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Ireland. Unless a mitigating defence is raised. I agree sentences for murder need to be harsh, but someone convicted of intentional murder without a defence would not be getting out in 6 years. It’s the defences that are at fault, and need to be revised. The provocation defence for a start is littered with issues. Other countries have redefined the defence, LRC recommended it over 10 years ago now, yet the Oireachtas is yet to do anything.
With all the fear they have put in our heads spitting at someone is just vile.
They should have all been fined the maximum penalty €2,500 regardless, hit them in the pocket where it hurts most.
And the poor solicitors want a air conditioned 30 foot by 30 foot room with ppe gear to help them during questioning.
They’ll want the garda to help them put it on as well.
This is as a result of 24% voting for a party who have zero respect for An Gardaí and the judiciary system. Ignorance now has a platform and a voice.
Emptor Caveat
@Bain triail aisti: can you back this claim up please with facts
Utter toe rags. Should be jailed immediately and not released until a vaccine is made available, however long that takes. This is attempted murder.
Dont spit or cough on gardai they have fammmmilies its gross
@Matthew O’Kane: well they hardly appeared from under a big hole.
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