Gardaí voice concern after attack on officer

POLICING in Ireland is going through a ‘very difficult period’, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has warned – after a garda had part of their finger ripped off in an attack.

A man in his 30s was arrested after the officer was attacked on Saturday.

The incident occurred after gardaí received a call about dangerous driving at Gulliver’s Retail Park in Ballymun, north Dublin, at around 11.30am.

After the attack, the garda was taken to Connolly Hospital with serious but nonlife-threatening injuries. A man has since been charged and is due to appear before Dublin District Court today at 10.30am. Witnesses can contact gardaí in Ballymun on (01) 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111, or any Garda station.

The GRA’s Damien McCarthy said assaults on gardaí are on the rise

‘We’re facing a very difficult, challenging period in policing in Ireland,’ he said. ‘There has been a real societal change in terms of aggression and attacks towards members of An Garda Síochána.’

He also told RTÉ’s This Week: ‘Broad daylight, a vicious attack, but this is a more and more common occurrence with guards trying to do their duty. Last year alone, we had over 260 serious assaults on members of An Garda Síochána, and when I say serious assaults, guards were requiring hospital admission immediately with broken bones, dislocated shoulders and open wounds requiring surgery.

‘Never before in our 100-year history have we seen so many resignations within the Garda Síochána, and promised recruitment campaigns have failed and failed miserably for our members.’

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said on the same show that the Government will bring forward stronger legislation for debate, which will see ‘much stronger mandatory sentences’ for people who attack gardaí.

The GRA welcomed his comments. Its president, Brendan O’Connor, said: ‘The issues around the sharp rise in violent attacks on our members, as well as problems with the recruitment and retention of gardaí within the force, have caused deep concern within our rank.’

He added: ‘The GRA hopes to have full engagement and participation regarding this task force and hopes a formal announcement from the Government will be forthcoming.’