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Crime Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Questions (104)

Neale Richmond

Question:

104. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to address the rise in assaults against front-line workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7769/22]

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Written answers

I am sure the Deputy will join me in condemning any attacks made on the men and women serving in An Garda Síochána, the Health Services and other frontline workers. The Deputy will agree that we are all immensely grateful to these people for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society, notably throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is imperative that frontline workers are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which they find themselves.

As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that the Garda authorities have taken or would take in these situations. However, I can assure the Deputy that whatever protective and detection measures are deemed appropriate by the Garda authorities will certainly be taken.

I should also say that while the criminal law in this area is being kept under ongoing review, there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against Gardaí.

As the Deputy will also be aware, any assault causing harm on any person is an offence under section 3 of the Non–Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a maximum fine of €2,500 or to both, or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

Furthermore, an assault on a member of an Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or a member of the Defence Forces would be an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A person convicted of such an offence would be liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both. A person convicted of such an offence on indictment would be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.

Any such offences under these Acts would be a policing matter for an Garda Síochána. I would encourage anyone with knowledge of such offences to report this to the local/nearest Garda station.

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