THE SPITS OF SHAME
Odious attacks on hero gardaí at the frontline
GARDAÍ have been spat at or coughed on an astonishing 70 times in the past six weeks – as they man the frontlines in the battle to keep us safe from Covid-19 nightmare.
And they have had to use spit hoods – plastic devices that cover suspects’ faces – 57 times over the same period, from April 8 to last Saturday, when dealing with prisoners.
Gardaí say the spit hoods are used ‘as a last resort’, where ‘there is clear evidence of spitting now or where a member believes there is a clear and tangible threat of spitting’. The hoods stop detainees spitting at, coughing on or biting officers, but they have been criticised by human rights groups as being dangerous and debasing.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said yesterday: ‘Regrettably, these reprehensible spitting and coughing attacks on our personnel continue. These are a significant health and safety risk to our members in the current environment. We must protect them from such attacks.’ Meanwhile, some 241 people face court and a criminal conviction over failure to adhere to Coivd-19 restrictions over the same six weeks.
Commissioner Harris said: ‘There has been a high level of compliance with the public health guidelines to date. I want to thank the public for that. But, from this week, the country is entering another critical phase. It is vital that we all continue to play our part in reducing the spreading of Covid-19 by adhering to the updated public health guidelines.
‘At the outset of the Covid-19 situation, I said that An Garda Síochána will continue to operate as a communitybased policing service, with a focus on protecting the vulnerable. This approach will not change during this new phase.’
Gardaí say that of the 241 people who refused to comply with the regulations, some were arrested while others had their names and addresses taken. Two people were detained after consulting a medical professional.
In all cases, where arrests or details were taken under the regulations, gardaí consult the DPP on the decision over whether to charge. Some of these incidents are already before the courts.
There were 1,621 incidents where other offences were discovered during Covid19 operations. These range from drink driving or disqualified drivers at checkpoints, to drugs and weapons seizures and public order offences.
‘Significant health and safety risk’