Garda Equipment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004

Wednesday, 3 November 2004

Ceisteanna (33)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

88 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Boston police have decided to discontinue their use of a pepper spray gun similar to that now authorised for use by gardaí after the death of a person (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that CS spray similar to that now authorised for use by gardaí has been consistently misused by the PSNI in Derry, most recently on a handcuffed man; if he will review the Garda guidelines for use of such weapons in view of these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27158/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the tragic events that occurred in Boston will be reviewed by the Garda Síochána as part of its less lethal programme. The two pepper spray devices authorised for use by the Garda Síochána are as follows: a special aerosol projector which is designed to deliver a directional pepper spray to a distance of 25 ft. to 30 ft.; and a ferret pepper spray shot which is a shotgun cartridge device that is intended to penetrate a door/window and deliver pepper spray inside.

I wish to emphasise that the use of these less lethal devices is restricted to the emergency response unit where it is necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The Garda Síochána is not authorised to use CS spray. Guidelines on the use of authorised less lethal weapons are constantly under review to reflect the operational and technological developments in the area of less lethal alternatives.

The use of CS spray in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. However, I am informed that all instances of CS spray in Northern Ireland, including the incident in Derry to which the Deputy refers, are referred to the Police Ombudsman whose role is to investigate the circumstances in which it was used.