‘Our members can no longer be punch bags for criminals’

THE union representing more than 10,500 rank-and-file gardaí has said its members can no longer “be punch bags” for criminals after the latest attack on officers.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) was speaking in the wake of two gardaí being hospitalised in south Dublin after carrying out searches related to drug activity in the area.

The organisation said the assaults further emphasised the need for frontline gardaí to carry non-lethal tasers.

John O’Keeffe, communications director for the GRA, told the Irish Independent: “A taser would almost certainly have prevented the horrific injuries that have left one garda in hospital having been hit with a metal baseball bat.

“Another garda is now recovering from a vicious dog bite,” he said.

“Frontline gardaí can no longer be punch bags for every criminal who wants to take a pot shot.

“The comely maidens have long since left the crossroads, it’s time we recognised this and equipped all our gardaí accordingly – before other innocent gardaí are injured, or lose their lives.”

Mr O’Keeffe added that the mere threat of a taser gun – being the red dot – ensures compliance in the majority of cases in which they are drawn.

Recent figures show that more than 1,200 gardaí have been assaulted during the course of their duty, but the GRA believes that the true number is much higher.