asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider making unarmed combat training compulsory for the Garda Síochána.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Training.
12.
Training in self-defence is already compulsory.
I understand this is a matter which concerns constituents of mine. I understand that unarmed combat courses which would be known in Army circles are not compulsory for the gardaí. Is this correct?
As I have said training in self-defence is compulsory and the gardaí are an unarmed force and consequently, their self-defence will be by unarmed combat.
In view of reports in the newspapers about gardaí being attacked by Kung Fu or jujitsu methods, are the gardaí being trained to cope with this type of attack?
I am not aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers but he may take it that the Garda authorities would be very keen to ensure that their members would be fully trained to combat any sort of attack made on them. The type of unarmed combat in which they are trained is pretty varied.