asked the Minister for Justice if he will increase police protection for doctors and nurses in Dublin city hospital casualty units.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Assistance To Hospitals.
26.
I am informed by the Garda Síochána that requests from Dublin city hospital casualty units for Garda assistance receive immediate attention. Lest a wrong impression be given, may I make it clear that by far the greatest number of such requests arise from incidents involving abusive language, from people brought in to these units in the 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. period, though there have been instances of physical assaults. Apart from dealing promptly with calls from hospitals, the Garda are at all times available for discussion if representatives of the hospitals think that this is called for.
Could the Minister say if any steps could be taken to prevent a number of casualties of this type by increasing patrols in the city areas?
The Deputy is aware that the Garda Síochána force has been considerably strengthened and this hopefully will produce results of the kind the Deputy is looking for.