Bernard Durkan
Question:
567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which improved Garda protection while on duty exists with particular reference to the increasingly violent society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26498/22]
View answer
I have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy; unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Questions 567 and 568 of 24 May 2022 where you asked: ‘The extent to which improved Garda Protection while on duty exists with particular reference to the increasingly violent society’; and “The number of Gardaí injured in the course of their duties in each of the past five years to date”.
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that to ensure that Garda members can safely and effectively carry out their statutory and common-law duties, they are trained in arrest and restraint techniques. In addition, Gardaí are provided with the following personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained in its use:
- Ballistic stab vest
- Asp baton
- Incapacitant Spray
- Rigid handcuffs
In addition, 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.
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 both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine, or to imprisonment, for a term not exceeding 5 years or 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 constitute 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 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 both.
As you may be aware, the Justice Plan 2022 commits to the publication of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill, previously called the Digital Recordings Bill. This important legislation will make provision for Garda powers to use modern digital technology including body worn cameras.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill is expected to be taken at second stage in the Dáil by the end of June. Committee stage is expected to take place in the autumn, and the Bill is expected to be fully enacted by the end of the year.
For your information, the table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the breakdown of occupational injuries to Garda members between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.
|
Year
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
Total
|
|
Assault
|
260
|
224
|
267
|
224
|
261
|
1,236
|
|
Non-assault
|
396
|
381
|
315
|
347
|
309
|
1,748
|
