More than 100 gardaí to get tasers in pilot project

RTE have reported on a new pilot project that will see tasers issued to 128 frontline uniformed gardaí.

The scheme will operate for six months alongside the continued roll-out of body worn cameras.

The scheme will take place in Dublin Central, Waterford and Kilkenny.

Tasers are used by police forces across the world, but so far in Ireland only a select few have them - members of the garda specialist armed support unit.

Those who support the project point out that an average of 299 gardaí were assaulted each year between 2014 and 2024.

However, the plan has been criticised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) as deeply concerning, saying international evidence suggests the use of tasers can escalate a situation, particularly when people are experiencing mental health crises.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said tasers in certain instances can play an important role.

Speaking as he arrived for this morning's Cabinet meeting, he said that "brave men and women who put on their uniform every day are often faced now with increased levels of abuse on the streets, levels of attacks".

In a statement, ICCL Executive Director Joe O'Brien said: "At ICCL, we are unclear what precise issues the Minister and Garda Commissioner feel tasers will resolve, why they believe this to be the case, and how they will run and analyse this pilot project."

Vice President of the Garda Representative Association Niall Hodgins said the deployment of tasers to frontline gardaí is "very welcomed".

Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, Mr Hodgins said: "We have been calling for them for a number of years… today is a good news day for the guards."

Mr Hodgins said the six-month pilot of the tasers will "seriously increase" both safety and tactical options in "the very high stress options we have to deal with".