199 cops hurt in line of duty
Figures reveal challenges officers face on the job
ALMOST 200 gardai were injured in the line of duty last year – with nearly one in eight cases in a single county.
The level of injury among officers in Waterford was far above other divisions, with 24 of the 199 occupational assault injuries occurring there in 2020.
Full year figures from gardai reveal there were 91 cases where police suffered what were described as “bruising/grazes/or bites”.
Another 10 officers suffered a “closed fracture”, while five gardai endured a painful dislocation during an assault while on duty.
There were two cases where a garda contracted an infection, according to the data, although no detail is provided on whether that was Covid-19. Fifteen cases of “open wounds” were also disclosed.
Gardai reported a single case of “serious multiple injuries”, while 37 cases were classified as “other” with no further information available.
There were also 38 “sprains or strains”, according to a database of incidents released under FOI.
While Waterford recorded the highest number of occupational injuries, there were significant numbers of injuries in other divisions as well.
In Laois/offaly, 16 injuries suffered during an assault were listed, while in Galway, there were 15 cases.
Two Dublin divisions – DMR North Central and DMR North – recorded twelve and eleven cases respectively, according to figures.
The fewest injuries were recorded in Clare, Kildare, and Louth, with three cases in each area.
There were 13 cases recorded in Cork.
The number of assaults was significantly down from 2019 when 265 cases were recorded. In an information note, gardai said: “An Garda Siochana is very mindful to the significant occupational demands placed on its members and the exposure to very stressful and traumatic situations.
“Critical support is provided.” Every garda injured while on duty is entitled to make a claim under the Garda Compensation Scheme.
Figures for 2020 show there were 116 cases taken under the Garda Compensation Act, with another 2,075 under the Occupational Injuries Scheme.
Last year, €2.7million was awarded in cases taken under the Garda Compensation Act, with a further €1.86million incurred in costs.
Payments linked to the Occupational Injuries Scheme came to €85,238.
They were battered, beaten, bruised, kicked and stabbed as they went about their work keeping the country safe.
Some were bitten, others were left with broken bones and dislocated joints, sprains and strains. Several ended up with open wounds.
One brave officer received multiple serious injuries. Two more contracted an infection.
The 14,000-plus men and women of An Garda Siochana put their lives on the line round the clock so that we can sleep safely in our beds.
While we’re sitting back in front a fire at night, they are confronting violent and dangerous individuals in the cold and wet.
Guards are exposed to very stressful and traumatic situations like murders and fatal crashes – and yet they go about their tasks without complaint.
Throughout the pandemic they have battled to halt the spread of the deadly virus which by this evening will have infected 200,000 Irish people.
When a garda goes to work, he or she has no idea of what deadly danger awaits them.
Today we salute the Boys and Girls in Blue – and hope that they can stay safe out there.