GRA conference to hear call to tackle threats on gardaí

Gardaí are calling for an agreed policy to be drafted to target people issuing direct and personal threats against members of An Garda Síochána.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said abuse and threats against gardaí online and in person has dramatically increased over the last few years.

Delegates at the association's annual conference which opens in Westport this evening are also calling for garda medics to be available at public order incidents, a full review of the current suspension policy and for a separate working driver’s licence to be issued to gardaí when on duty.

Gardaí say they are afraid to pursue fleeing suspects and criminals in certain areas for fear of facing discipline and even court prosecution, while community gardaí are afraid of using discretion and common sense when helping out vulnerable citizens.

These and other issues, according to the GRA, have proven too much for many members, with the organisation losing over 370 gardaí through retirements and resignations last year.

Listen back: GRA conference to hear call to tackle threats to gardaí
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GRA President Mark O’ Meara said overzealous oversight and bureaucracy, a perceived lack of support and the use of internal discipline and suspension as training tools have many gardaí second guessing their policing methods.

In the aftermath of the acquittal of five gardaí in Limerick and the State’s decision to pay a quarter of a million euro to the garda who was suspended for giving a man the loan of a bicycle during the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual conference of the GRA will hear calls for a full review of the current suspension policy.

Gardaí also want a clear policy for pursuit driving and a separate working driving licence so that actions they take in the course of their duty will not adversely affect their personal and private lives.

Officers in Sligo, Leitrim, Meath and Dublin West say there is a need to safeguard gardaí who are required to drive under urgent, high-risk or duty-related conditions and a working driving licence would ensure they are appropriately protected from legal liability when carrying out essential policing functions as long as they operate within policy and training standards.

Gardaí in Dublin are also calling on the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to ensure that all uniform and plain clothes officers are trained in the use of the Stinger and that all garda cars and vans are equipped with a stinger device.

A stinger device is a plastic mat with spikes that deflates the tires of vehicles that drive over it.

With the increase in abuse online and in person gardaí also want an agreed policy to target those issuing direct and personal threats against them and they are calling for specialised garda medics to be present at all protests and public order events.

The GRA also said garda numbers remain below strength and issues surrounding recruitment and retention continue to place extra workload, stress and pressure on rank and file gardaí.

One of the motions at the annual conference also calls on the Garda Commissioner to introduce drones as an operational policing tool and train gardaí in their use, particularly against scramblers, motorbikes and stolen cars.

However, the Garda Commissioner has already established a new Drone Unit in An Garda Síochána with people experienced in the use of drones and that he expects gardaí to be using drones in everyday policing by the end of this year or the start of 2027.

He also said that new legislation is needed to enable gardaí to break red lights and other traffic laws in pursuit of scramblers, stolen cars and criminals.

GRA Vice President calls for doxing legislation
Niall Hodgins said gardaí are able to deal with attacks against themselves and the uniform that they wear, but they are not prepared to put up with a situation where family members are also being identified online.

"Media manipulation has gone on for a long, long, long time and we need legislation to deal with this issue," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Mr Hodgins said the digital unit within An Garda Síochána needs to be assisted by legislators.

He added that the GRA was also calling for a full review of its current suspension policy at its annual conference.