2,411 Gardaí assaulted while on duty

2,411 Gardaí have been assaulted while on active duty over the last 10 years according to information giving to Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín T.D. from the Minister for Justice by way of an Answer to a Parliamentary Question.

Responding An Teachta Tóibín stated;

“These figures are deeply shocking. We are talking about hundreds of Gardaí being assaulted every year while serving their communities.

“These men and women put themselves in great danger to keep our communities safe.

“It shows that the Cherry Orchard event is not an isolated incident. Similar is happening every other day some where in this state.

“There is a serious crisis in the Garda force at the moment”.

“Another PQ answer that we received from the minister showed that 400 Gardaí have resigned from the force in just the last year.

“We also received information back from the Minister just this week which showed that only 24 Gardaí have actually commenced training at Garda College so far this year. It’s down from 795 Garda commencing training in 2018.

“It compares to hundreds of Gardaí retiring every year from the force. Another answer to a PQ that we received shows that the Garda Reserve has shrunk from 1164 in 2013 to under 400 people this year.

“Research we have carried out shows that Ireland has one of the lowest numbers of police per capita in the EU with just 280 Garda per 100,000 currently.

“This is practically the same per capita figure as in 2016 which was especially low due to 5 years of austerity.

“And all the while, many people especially those living in rural areas are living in fear.

“Many people in urban areas are afraid to use public transport and many town centres and our main streets including O Connell Street at night feel like off limits.

“According to the CSO, detection rates for crimes such as burglary are as low as 14%. Indeed a district in the Minister for Justice’s own constituency had a zero detection rate for the first half of this year”.

“The Minister for Justice seems to be asleep at the week. She seems detached from the reality of so many people.

“Extending alcohol licencing laws in these circumstances create question marks over where the Minister’s priorities are. The firsts responsibility of the Minister for Justice is to make sure that citizens are safe and to make sure the Gardaí are properly resourced to ensure this happens. It is quite clear that this is not happening”.