Firefighters and paramedics were subjected to 42 cases of assault, verbal abuse, and antisocial behaviour over a two-year period.
Figures released by Dublin Fire Brigade reveal that frontline emergency workers experienced multiple incidents of violence and aggression while on duty throughout 2023 and 2024, reports Breaking News.
These included physical attacks that left some personnel with bruises, abrasions, and open wounds.
Seventeen incidents were documented in 2023 and 25 the following year, bringing the overall total to 42, reports Breaking News.
The reports show incidents occurred across both the city and its suburbs, in areas such as Finglas, Ballymun, Ballinteer, and Portobello, as well as in emergency departments at the Mater, Connolly Hospital, and Tallaght Hospital.
At least nine of the cases recorded in 2023 involved physical assaults, reports Breaking News.
One firefighter suffered an open wound after an incident at Tallaght Hospital in April that year, while another sustained a similar injury in Donnycarney that same month.
The trend persisted into 2024, with several assaults reported in Ballinteer, Amiens Street, and East Wall, reports Breaking News.
A number of firefighters were left with bruises and grazes, while others described being verbally abused or threatened while responding to calls.
Each of the incidents was logged under the category of “violence and aggression,” the classification used internally for threats or abuse against staff, reports Breaking News.
When asked about the records, Dublin City Council declined to comment or offer further details regarding the dangers faced by fire brigade members.
The FOI data showed that while some incidents led to injuries, others were recorded as not applicable, indicating that no physical harm occurred, reports Breaking News.
Luke McCann, SIPTU staff representative for Dublin Fire Brigade, said: “Our employer, because of the work we do, needs to send us into dangerous situations and that’s part of our role. For the most part, our people are able to avoid risks and do their work, but sometimes, they can get unlucky and come across bad actors. It’s very difficult to stop. It’s the nature of the work we do, and we would always appeal to people to please let us do our job safely,” reports Breaking News.
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