Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
24. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to progress legislative and other efforts to protect members of An Garda Síochána from the deliberate ramming of their vehicles by criminals, including considering the merits of the Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill 2015 as part of these efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10014/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I consider the deliberate ramming of Garda vehicles to be a very serious matter in the context of road safety. The safety of the members of the Garda Síochána and the general public is of critical importance. It is imperative that Gardaí are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which Gardaí find themselves.
The Deputy will recall at the debate of the Private Members Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill 2015 on 11 December 2015 that I outlined the considerable wealth of legislation already in place to enable the prosecution of those who would seek to damage Garda property or, indeed, to injure members of the Garda Síochána by ramming their vehicles or otherwise. Furthermore, the Deputy will appreciate that, if the ramming of a Garda vehicle resulted in a death, an offence of Dangerous Driving causing Death would be considered, in certain circumstance an offence of attempted murder, murder or manslaughter may be considered applicable with the resultant penalties, including mandatory life imprisonment for a conviction of murder.
While a comprehensive body of legislation exists to provide for the prosecution of this type of assault, the Deputy will be aware that I am on record in terms of my support for the objective and intention of his Members Bill, and will of course keep this matter under ongoing review.
